NOT SO FAST, GARETH
Still a talisman, but Bale needs help from his team-mates as he appears to have lost his blistering pace
GARETH BALE knows he needs all the help he can get from Wales team-mates, as stats show the nation’s record scorer is slowing down.
The Red Dragons began their Group A campaign with a gutsy point against Switzerland, thanks to Kieffer Moore’s late header. But skipper Bale, who turns 32 next month, rarely looked like adding to his 33 international goals in his 93rd game for his country in Baku.
It is now 12 matches since he scored for Wales and he was a peripheral figure against the Swiss, completing just 17 of 26 passes while more than half the Wales team ran quicker than him in the match.
Only Ben Davies (27.4km/h), Moore (25km/h) and Joe Morrell (24.7km/h) clocked a slower top speed than Bale (28.4km/h) among the side’s outfield starting XI.
It is a far cry from when Bale scored in every group game five years ago as Wales progressed and ended up in the semi-finals. This time around their task looks a lot harder, with a game against Turkey in sweltering Baku tomorrow, before finishing up in Rome against Italy.
But Bale insists there are positive comparisons with 2016’s Welsh heroes as the current squad is similarly united and tight.
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.
“It is one of those things you dream of as a kid – 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 for having a good team spirit and togetherness. It is similar to what it was before. We are going to make sure, especially us older players, that we are all working together and pushing in the same direction.
“We are doing as much as we can on the training field in the lead up. We need to make sure we go out and give 100 percent and perform to the best of our abilities.”
Ryan Giggs bossed Wales to automatic qualification for the tournament. But due to Giggs’ ongoing legal troubles, Rob Page was promoted last November from his FAW coaching role to take interim charge of the side. He has since taken Wales for nine matches, including just two defeats.
Bale (in training, right) added: “It was a difficult situation at the start, but he has 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, which is not bad. He has been great with us and the lads. He has got us all together and we have no excuses.
“Preparation wise, training has been fantastic. He has been great since he has stepped in and hopefully we can repay that faith.”