Rob Page confident Wales can subdue ‘fantastic’ Lewandowski in playoff clash | Euro 2024 qualifying

Rob Page is confident the facility of collectivism can not solely subdue the person brilliance of Poland’s Robert Lewandowski and transport Wales to Euro 2024 however show there actually is life after Gareth Bale.

Tuesday night time’s playoff in Cardiff will dictate whether or not Wales qualify for a 3rd successive European Championship and a fourth main event in 5 makes an attempt and fairly probably decide Page’s probabilities of remaining in the position. Leading his nation to Germany this summer season with out the now retired Bale round to destabilise opponents would definitely be a feather in the pinnacle coach’s cap.

“Poland have some individuals but, collectively, as a team, we’re more than capable of giving a level of performance to get the job done,” stated Page as he finalised plans to frustrate the guests’ talismanic striker.

“Lewandowski is a fantastic player, we’ll respect that, of course. But it stops there. We’ve done some analysis on him and shown the defenders what he’s capable of doing. But it’s about us imposing ourselves on them. We know Poland have an abundance of quality. They’ve a new manager [Michal Probierz], they’ve had some positive results. But it’s about the best we can play. If we do that the result takes care of itself.”

If Poland wouldn’t appear the identical crew with out Barcelona’s Lewandowski carrying the armband and proving why, even at 35, he stays among the many world’s most feared strikers, Wales have needed to do some appreciable readjusting to Bale’s absence.

Wales’ document caps holder and main goalscorer retired shortly earlier than the beginning of their Euro 2024 qualifying odyssey. “We had one of the world’s best footballers and it shows how far we’ve come in a short space of time,” stated Page, whose aspect have recovered from an ungainly patch final summer season and are unbeaten in seven video games. “We’re just one event previous Gareth’s retirement and one win away from qualifying.

“If we can be there or thereabouts on the finish of the qualifying marketing campaign, whereas we’re nonetheless in this transition of introducing younger gamers with out a number of the world-class senior gamers we’ve had, then we’re in a very good place. It reveals the energy in depth and high quality we’ve received coming via.”

There has been fairly a altering of the guard since Page succeeded Ryan Giggs in November 2020, with the coach presiding over a current infusion of youth. Only two survivors from Euro 2016 – when Wales reached the semi-finals in France – are anticipated to begin towards Poland.

While Danny Ward will probably be in objective and Ben Davies in defence, the as soon as catalytic midfielder Aaron Ramsey is about for a spot on the bench. “We’re in a healthier position with regards to the age and legs we’ve got on the pitch,” stated Page, who will probably be closely reliant on the youthful vitality of, amongst others, Ethan Ampadu, Jordan James, Brennan Johnson, Daniel James and Neco Williams. “Having younger legs doesn’t guarantee positive results, but it gives you the best opportunity. [The need for] athleticism in midfield was one of the biggest things we took from the last World Cup.”

Page should belief {that a} central midfield axis comprising the 23-year-old Ampadu and 19-year-old James will overcome a Poland XI that always struggled throughout qualifying, ending a disappointing third in their group. “They would have been favourites to qualify and we’ll take note of that,” he stated. “They’re in the playoffs for a reason.”

Wales have taken the precaution of practising penalties in preparation for a possible shootout. “We’d be stupid not to, we’d be ignorant to ignore that,” stated Page. “But it doesn’t take away our confidence.”

It helps that he’s extraordinarily near his squad. “I’ve a great relationship with them,” he stated. “I’m an emotional man and I do know what we’ve received in the altering room. We’re all in it collectively and all of us take pleasure in the way in which we wish to play. I’ve received gamers that completely like it, thrive on it. The approach we play on the high of the pitch remains to be a piece in progress however they’ve all purchased into it.

“Qualifying can be an incredible achievement. You’re all the time going to get bumps in the highway, particularly in transition, and we had one in the summer season. What pleases me is the response. To go unbeaten in seven and play in the style we’ve completed, it actually, actually pleases me. I’d be an especially proud man if we get the job completed.”