SM
Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid: 11 hrs 4 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

The big talking points ahead of Wales' clash with Switzerland

:Headline: The big talking points ahead of Wales' clash with Switzerland:
The Dragons reached the semi-finals of the last European Championship in France.
Sports Mole

Wales kick off their Euro 2020 campaign against Switzerland on Saturday.

Gareth Bale and company are hoping to recreate the magic of Euro 2016 when they reached the last four of the tournament.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the Group A clash in Baku.

Can Bale spark Wales again?

Wales are hoping skipper Gareth Bale can spark them like he did at Euro 2016 (Joe Giddens/PA)

Skipper Gareth Bale is among eight survivors from Wales' Euro 2016 squad which reached the semi-finals five years ago. Bale was the catalyst for success in France, joining a rare band of players who have scored in every group game. The 31-year-old Real Madrid forward comes into the tournament after a mixed season on loan at Tottenham when his game-time was limited. Wales' record goalscorer has not scored for his country since October 2019, but has done so on the two previous occasions he has met Switzerland.

Page out to write new chapter

Interim manager Robert Page will be in charge of Wales at Euro 2016 (Nick Potts/PA)

Robert Page took charge when manager Ryan Giggs was put on leave in November. The former Wales captain managed Port Vale and Northampton before taking charge of his country's Under-21 side and eventually joining Giggs' backroom staff. Page has won four of his eight games in charge, with the only defeats coming against Belgium and France – the world's top two ranked teams. But Page has much to prove if he is to write another successful chapter in Welsh football history.

Ramsey risk

Aaron Ramsey (left) has been short of match fitness ahead of Euro 2020 (Nick Potts/PA)

Aaron Ramsey was one of the stars of Euro 2016 and named in the team of the tournament. Ramsey has since swapped Arsenal for Juventus but has been dogged by injury over the past few years. He has had fitness issues leading up to Euro 2020 and sat out training on Thursday in what the 30-year-old said was a "planned" decision. Ramsey underlined his importance with both goals in the 2-0 win over Hungary that sent Wales to the finals, but Page faces a huge call over whether to hand him a starting spot or use him from the bench.

False nine or target man?

Striker Kieffer Moore has been the victim of a Wales tactical switch in recent months (Nick Potts/PA)

Wales' fortunes under Giggs radically improved when Kieffer Moore joined the set-up in 2019. The 6ft 5in Cardiff striker provided a focal point in attack, big and strong to hold the ball up and mobile enough to run the channels. Moore also scored goals. But Page has preferred a different attacking approach, reverting to a false nine between the twin threat of Bale and Daniel James on the flanks. Ramsey or Harry Wilson could get that role, but the suspicion remains that Wales are at their best when Moore's physical presence is utilised.

Past meetings

Gareth Bale was on target when Wales beat Switzerland 2-0 in their last meeting in 2011 (David Jones/PA)

Seven previous games between the two nations have produced five wins for Switzerland and two for Wales. Switzerland won their first clash in 1949 before Wales recorded a 3-2 victory in a Wrexham friendly two years later. Switzerland won four successive games between 1996 and 2010 with a goals aggregate of 10-1. But Ramsey and Bale were on target in their last meeting, Wales winning a European Championship qualifier 2-0 in Swansea in October 2011.

body check tags ::

amp_article__450981 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-06-11 09:19:25:
html db last update - 2021-06-11 09:18:07 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:
WA
Read Next:
Aaron Ramsey sits out Wales training ahead of Euro 2020 opener
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Gareth Bale Aaron Ramsey Rob Page Kieffer Moore Ryan Giggs Harry Wilson Daniel James Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Aaron Ramsey sits out Wales training ahead of Euro 2020 opener
Man City close gap to Arsenal with statement four-goal win over Brighton
Best Football Betting sites in the UK for April 2024: Where can you place your bets?

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool34228475344174
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

"I am happy" - Arsenal target reacts to transfer rumours

1

&A

This weekend's permutations: Who can be crowned champions, win promotion or suffer relegation?

2

TW

Preview: Guimaraes vs. Boavista - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PG

Chelsea handed major fitness boost ahead of Aston Villa clash

4

CH

Chelsea confirm length of Fernandez injury absence amid reports season is over

5

CC

Preview: B. Leverkusen vs. Stuttgart - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PB

"We need a crisis" - Klopp rates Liverpool's title chances after derby defeat

7

&N

Preview: Aston Villa vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PA

Key Chelsea midfielder 'ruled out for rest of season'

9

KC

How Chelsea could line up against Aston Villa

10

HC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .