SM
Wolves vs. Forest: 1 day 19 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Rob Page: 'Wales managing Aaron Ramsey fitness'

:Headline: Rob Page: 'Wales managing Aaron Ramsey fitness':
The Juventus midfielder scored his 17th international goal in 2-0 win over Turkey.
Sports Mole

Wales are "reaping the rewards" of dealing with Aaron Ramsey differently to the rest of the squad, says interim boss Robert Page.

Ramsey set Wales on the path to a 2-0 win over Turkey in Baku on Wednesday with his 17th international goal, moving him into seventh place outright on his country's all-time scoring list.

The victory leaves Wales on course for qualification for the round of 16 with four points from two games ahead of their final Group A fixture against Italy in Rome on Sunday.

(PA Graphics)

Ramsey revealed last week that he had hired personal fitness staff to get him into the "best possible shape" after an injury-hit season at Juventus, and Page admitted that he feared the 30-year-old breaking down in games.

But Ramsey played 85 minutes on Wednesday and underlined his fitness levels just before being replaced by racing back into his own penalty area to make a last-ditch tackle on Turkey substitute Mert Muldur.

Ramsey was told by Portuguese referee Artur Dias to leave the pitch on the opposite side to the dugouts and Page said: "We nearly had to go and carry him from the other side of the pitch as he had put that much of a shift in.

"Aaron's not played that many minutes at domestic level, so we had to be sympathetic to what he needed.

"We couldn't push him too hard too soon because it would have had a negative impact on him and we didn't want to take that risk.

"We've dealt with him slightly differently and we are reaping the rewards of it.

"He looks extremely fit. He's making tackles on the edge of our box, he did the same against Switzerland when they were countering. It was a phenomenal performance."

The Ramsey and Gareth Bale link worked to full effect at Baku's Olympic Stadium as the pair opened up the Turkey defence three times in the first half.

Aaron Ramsey (right) opens the scoring for Wales against Turkey in Baku (Naomi Baker/AP)

Bale was the provider on each occasion with Ramsey making the captain's vision count on the third occasion just before half-time.

While the Real Madrid-Juventus combination grabbed the headlines, Page praised the unity and spirit of a team which had five starters from the Sky Bet Championship and others unable to command regular places in the Premier League.

"Everybody wants to talk about the big names. Aaron was exceptional and Gareth showed character after missing the penalty, but the other nine were outstanding," Page said.

"We've got a lot of players that are not playing domestic football week in and week out.

"The two centre-backs were exceptional. One is playing Championship football (Chris Mepham), the other's not playing domestic football in the Premier League (Joe Rodon).

"It's a big test for them to come in and play against good opposition."

Swansea full-back Connor Roberts sealed victory in the final moments with his second international goal.

Roberts said he ignored a call from Mepham to stay back and protect Wales' slender lead and found himself six yards from goal to sweep home Bale's clever cut-back.

Page said: "I've never seen anybody run like him. He's the fittest man I've ever met in my life.

"There was no holding him back. He saw the opportunity, and so did Gareth, and they pounced on it."

body check tags ::

amp_article__451689 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-06-17 09:18:33:
html db last update - 2021-06-17 09:18:33 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Aaron Ramsey

Click here for more stories about Wales

Share this article now:
IH
Read Next:
Euro 2020 roundup: Italy book spot in knockout stages
>


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 Aaron Ramsey Rob Page Gareth Bale Connor Roberts Chris Mepham Joe Rodon Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Euro 2020 roundup: Italy book spot in knockout stages
Twist in the title tale! Spirited Man United hold Liverpool in four-goal thriller
Haaland hits brace and Savinho shines as Man City put West Ham to the sword
Will the Lionesses roar again? England discover Euro 2025 opponents!

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326
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

Twist in the title tale! Spirited Man United hold Liverpool in four-goal thriller

NEW

1

TI

Why is Szoboszlai missing from Liverpool squad to face Man United?

2

WI

United and Arsenal transfer blow? Attacker set to sign new deal and reject move

3

UA

Team News: Slot, Amorim confirm XIs for Liverpool vs. Man United

4

TN

Has Slot found his Salah replacement? Reds eyeing former Premier League winger

5

HS

Preview: Arsenal vs. Newcastle - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PA

Liverpool vs. Man United 'in doubt' as 'urgent safety meeting' called

7

LV

Liverpool vs. Man United: Will the Premier League match go ahead as planned?

8

LV

Nwaneri blow adds to Arteta woes: Arsenal injury list for Newcastle clash

9

NB

Slot okays exit? Wantaway winger in 'negotiations' for transfer in January

10

SO


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