Roberts keen to see more Wales fans

CONNOR Roberts hopes more Wales fans will get the chance to support the team at Euro 2020 after their trip to Azerbaijan, writes Phil Blanche.

The Wales squad headed to Rome yesterday for their final Group A fixture against Italy after an 11-day stop in Baku, which has seen them play their opening two matches of the tournament 3,000 miles from home.

Fans were advised by the Welsh Government not to travel to Baku, with Azerbaijan on their coronavirus ‘amber list’ and quarantine regulations in place on their return home.

A few hundred hardy fans did make the long journey to see Wales pick up four points against Switzerland and Turkey, though, results which have left Robert Page’s squad on the brink of last16 qualification before the meeting against group leaders Italy tomorrow.

“Hopefully we can get as far in the competition as possible,” said

Swansea defender Roberts, who scored in the final seconds against Turkey on Wednesday to seal a 2-0 win.

“Maybe we can get more fans to get to the games to support us. It’s one thing supporting from home, but to be there experiencing it is another thing.”

Ending Italy’s unbeaten 29-match run at the Stadio Olimpico would see Wales top their group.

That would set up a last-16 tie at Wembley – with around 40,000 fans allowed – against the Group C runners-up, most likely Austria or Ukraine.

But the more likely scenario, however, is that Wales finish behind Italy and head on to Amsterdam to meet Group B’s runners-up – probably Denmark, Finland or Russia.

The Johan Cruyff Arena hosted 12,000 fans for Holland’s group game with Ukraine on Thursday.

Wales could also qualify as a best third-placed team with Bucharest, Glasgow and Seville as potential venues for a last-16 tie.

The Dragons would return to Baku for a quarter-final by winning in Amsterdam.

Roberts added: “If you offered that to me now of course I would (take it). I think being here (Baku) compared to Scotland, England and most teams, they have all been close to home and able to get fans there. We have been halfway around the world.”