TEAM-MATES MUST STEP UP WITH SKIPPER LOSING PACE
GARETH BALE knows he needs all the help he can get from Wales teammates as statistics show the nation’s record scorer is slowing down.
Wales began their Group A campaign with a gutsy point against Switzerland thanks to Kieffer Moore’s late header securing a 1-1 draw.
But skipper Bale, who turns 32 next month, rarely looked like adding to his 33 international goals in the 93rd game for his country.
It is now 12 matches since he scored for Wales and he was a peripheral figure on Saturday as he completed just 17 of 26 passes, while more than half his team ran faster than him.
Only Ben Davies (27.4km/h), Moore (25) and
Joe Morrell (24.7) clocked a slower top speed than Bale (28.4) among the side’s outfield starting XI (see below).
It is a far cry from when Bale scored in every group game five years ago as Wales reached the semi-finals.
This time their task looks a lot harder, with a game against Turkey in sweltering Baku tomorrow before finishing in Rome against Italy.
But Bale insists there are positive comparisons to Wales’ 2016 heroes as the current squad is just as united.
Bale said: “Everyone knows what happened in 2016 but this is a new task and new challenge.We know it is going to be difficult.
“To reach another semi-final would be incredible but we really do have to take it one game at a time.You dream as a kid of leading your country in a major tournament. It is probably one of the biggest accomplishments I am going to have.
“The most important thing is we perform as a team together.As long as we give 100 percent on the pitch we can have no doubts after.
“We have always been known as having a good team spirit and good togetherness. It is similar to what it was before.
“We will make sure, especially us old players, that we are all working together.”
Ryan Giggs bossedWales to automatic qualification for the finals. But Rob Page was promoted last November from his FAW coaching role to interim charge ofWales after Giggs was arrested. Giggs was charged with assault, which he denies, and stands trial in January.
Page, above, has been in charge og Wales for nine matches, losing twice.
Bale added: “It was a difficult situation at the start but he has really taken on the role well. I think the results prove he has done a fantastic job leading into this. We have only lost to France and Belgium.
“He has been great with us and the lads. He has got us all together and we’ve always said we have no excuses.
“Training has been fantastic. He has been great since stepping in and hopefully we can repay that faith.”