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Strength of Wales squad offers chance to surpass ‘class of 2016’ despite loss to Italy
By Jeremy Wilson
When Wales were touring around France in 2016 to the relentless sound of Don’t Take Me Home echoing in their ears, it felt like they were on a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
The Welsh had only previously qualified for the knockout phase of a major international tournament in 1958 and, while any team with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey in their ranks certainly ought to have had plenty left, it was hard to imagine history repeating itself.
Not any more. Not after a second-place finish in Group B which sets up an enticing last-16 tie in the European Championship, most likely against Russia or Finland. And with Holland and one of the third-placed group teams completing their quarter of the draw, an enormous opportunity undoubtedly looms again.
Wales’ Ethan Ampadu sees red against Italy.Credit:AP
Italy topped the group after a third straight win against 10-man Wales on Sunday (Monday AEST), with a first-half goal from Matteo Pessina giving them a 1-0 victory. Welsh centre back Ethan Ampadu was shown a straight red card in the 55th minute for stamping on Federico Bernadeschi’s foot, and Wales then missed their best chance of an equaliser in the 74th when Gareth Bale volleyed over the bar from close range. Wales secured a berth by finishing ahead of Switzerland on goal difference.
A quick scan of the Wales team that started against Italy was sufficient to understand why plenty of good judges rate this squad above even the semi-final heroes of Euro 2016.
“They’re probably more talented and there’s more strength now,” said Ashley Williams, the Wales captain five years ago. “This is a bigger selection headache, which is a good thing, because there’s so many more good players in each position.”
The Italians celebrate Matteo Pessina’s goal against Wales.Credit:Getty
Ben Davies, Kieffer Moore and Chris Mepham were all at risk of suspension for the round of 16 but, even with all to play for in terms of the final group standings, caretaker manager Rob Page simply rested these key men and overhauled the system. And so out went Moore, the striker whose equalising goal against Switzerland ultimately proved pivotal, and in came an extra defender and a “false nine” in Ramsey.
Page will likely go back to the team who swept past Turkey for the next match, but it all further added to the sense that Wales have a breadth of options which surpass Chris Coleman’s history-makers of five years ago.
Coleman basically knew 10 of his 11 preferred starters in France and, while that certainty of selection provided a useful clarity, there is now far less reliance on Bale and Ramsey.
Dan James, David Brooks and Harry Wilson provide energy and alternative creative options while Moore, Cardiff City’s 6ft 5in striker, is proof that an old school No 9 is still of considerable value. Moore combined playing football previously for Truro City with his job as a lifeguard and, having arrived at the Euros via Dorchester, Yeovil, Forest Green Rovers and Torquay, there is something in his wider presence which seems to galvanise those around him.
With 20 Championship goals last season, Page clearly knew that Moore could be something of a secret weapon and, having “wrapped him in cotton wool” even before the group phase, did the same against Italy. “He has a great presence and also a great touch,” Page said. “His link-up play is very good and he is a willing runner. He gives us more than physicality.”
Crucially, Moore also provides important defensive qualities at set- pieces and, for all the resilience Wales showed in limiting Italy to one goal, that is perhaps the biggest question compared to 2016 when Williams, Davies and James Chester formed such an effective partnership.
Much, inevitably, will also still depend on Bale and Ramsey. They are both now in their early thirties and, for all the respective uncertainty about their club futures, still seem able to lift themselves on the biggest stage for their country.
And you need only a cursory glance though Welsh football history to appreciate the scale of this achievement.
This is only the third time that Wales have qualified for the knockout phase of a major tournament but it is a measure of the progress, and the options running through the squad, that it will count as a major disappointment if this latest journey ends in Amsterdam on Saturday.
A lifeline for Switzerland, misery for Turkey
Xherdan Shaqiri scored two goals to give Switzerland a 3-1 victory over Turkey.
Winger Steven Zuber assisted all three Switzerland goals, with Haris Seferovic getting the first and Shaqiri putting in the next two.
Irfan Can Kahveci scored for Turkey, the only goal the team managed at Euro 2020.
Xherdan Shaqiri after scoring for Switzerland against Turkey.Credit:Getty Images
The Swiss will have to wait until other groups are finished to see if they progress.
If Switzerland had scored two more goals, it would have overtaken Wales for second place in Group A and a guaranteed spot in the next round.
Boos echoed around the stadium at the end of the match as Turkey exited after losing all three of their games. The team’s goal difference was minus-7, the worst since the European Championship expanded to a 24-team competition in 2016.
Telegraph (London), Reuters
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