Joe’s got some-Fin up sleeve
JOE RODON insists Wales are channelling an underdog mentality – despite being favourites to beat Finland in their Euro 2024 play-off tomorrow.
The two nations collide in a crunch semi-final at Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales have endured a turbulent qualifying campaign – their first without retired talisman Gareth Bale.
But Rodon is confident his side, who are 31 places above Finland in the FIFA world rankings, can get the job done by putting any complacency firmly to one side.
“We’re always going to see ourselves as the underdog in every game we go into,” he said.
“Some of us have been in a situation like this before, experience always helps.
“But this is a new campaign now. We know what we need to do.”
The absence of Bale has been hard felt in the Dragons camp as they laboured to a third-placed finish in their group behind Turkey and Croatia.
Two years ago it was Bale who was the difference maker in Wales’ play-off victory to reach the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“I’m sure he’s always watching,” said Rodon when asked if Bale had reached out to the squad.
“He loves his country. I’m sure he’ll be there watching the game.”
Rodon, on loan at Leeds from Tottenham, was part of the original ‘Welsh Mafia’ at Spurs along with Ben Davies and Bale.
But despite striking up a close bond with the superstar, he added: “It is quite nice that he doesn’t bully me anymore!
“Gaz has done so much for me and I do miss him a lot. I’ll have to keep in touch with him.
“He does get on to me a little bit when I don’t speak to him.”
Rodon has relished his loan spell at Elland Road, forming an unbreakable centre-back partnership with Ethan Ampadu.
The duo are part of a Welsh quartet, including Dan James and Connor Roberts, who will be up against Leeds’ sole Finland international in midfielder Glen Kamara.