Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Wales will look to dust themselves down after the heartbreak of late defeat in Lens last Thursday. They go into their final group game knowing that a win will be enough to see them through to the Round of 16 and depending on the result between England and Slovakia in the other group game then even a draw could be a satisfactory result
After going ahead through Gareth Bale’s free kick Wales were then decamped in their own box thanks to an English onslaught, they will aim to be a bit more expansive against what is quite a leggy Russian side. With Wales sitting so deep they inadvertently cut off their supply channel to Gareth Bale who bar a ghosted header with the very last chance of the game cut quite an isolated figure in the second 45 minutes of the game
Joe Allen will be charged with trying to get the ball to Bale quicker this time around and in turn create more of a threat to the Russian backline. But it won’t all just be down to Bale they are going to need another team effort like the one they showed in their opener against Slovakia.
Chris Coleman will be sweating on the fitness of Joe Ledley, his miraculous recovery after a broken leg was somewhat tempered after his substitution during the England game. With him off the park they just lost that grit and determination in midfield which allowed England more freedom in the middle of the park.
As for Russia, they don’t seem to start games until late on. After clawing back a point against England they didn’t get started until going 2-0 down to Slovakia. A Denis Glushakov goal set up a tense end to Wednesday’s encounter but it wasn’t going to be a repeat of their opener by snatching another unlikely point
Russia ended Wales’ hopes of qualification to the 2004 edition of this tournament and they will once again hope to break Wales hearts with a win this Evening. Let’s not forget that a win for Russia and a subsequent win for England could see Russia finish as unlikely group runners up
They’ve already thrown a spanner in the works for one home nation so don’t be surprised if they can upset the apple cart once again. Will Chris Coleman once again opt for the three at the back that has been used for the opening two group games, if they do then you would hope this time around will see them a bit more expansive
Can Wales do enough to get to the Round of 16, probably especially with Gareth Bale in their ranks. I have a feeling that this will a tense and nervy encounter but I can see Wales edging this one. Both teams to score but Wales to win this one and progress to the knockout stages.
