MX23RW : Saturday, June 26 18:37:20| >> :60:884:884:

Robert Page insists Wales must not read into Turkey's Italy defeat

Robert Page insists Wales must not read into Turkey's Italy defeat
© Reuters
Turkey were unbeaten in six games before losing their Euro 2020 opener.

Wales boss Robert Page has warned that Euro 2020 opponents Turkey are a lot better than their opening scoreline with Italy suggested.

Turkey were brushed aside 3-0 by Italy on the tournament's first night in Rome, offering Wales real hope that they can claim their first win of Euro 2020 in Baku on Wednesday.

But Turkey came into the competition on the back of a six-game unbeaten run and were highly fancied by many to do well at Euro 2020.

Italy Turkey Euro 2020 Soccer
Turkey slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Italy in their opening Euro 2020 game (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

"We've not just watched their game against Italy, we've watched games going back over recent months," said interim manager Page, whose Wales side began the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland.

"The personnel has changed, but we're up against a very good team.

"We've identified where they are good but it stops there, because we look at ourselves and we've got players who can hurt teams."

Skipper Gareth Bale and playmaker Aaron Ramsey both had quiet opening games in the heat of Baku on Saturday.

It was left to a combination from the Sky Bet Championship to rescue Wales a point as Luton midfielder Joe Morrell crossed for Cardiff striker Kieffer Moore to head home the equaliser.

Page said: "We've got a game plan we want to stick to, one that we think can cause Turkey problems.

"Any opposing manager that looks at that team sheet is going to respect what we've got out there and can pose them a threat.

"We got off to a positive start to get a point. To fall behind against a very good Swiss team โ€“ there's a lot of positives to come out of that.

Wales v Switzerland โ€“ UEFA Euro 2020 โ€“ Group A โ€“ Baku Olympic Stadium
Kieffer Moore celebrates after scoring Wales' equaliser against Switzerland on Saturday (PA Wire)

"In tournament football you have to find a way to win and we've shown we can do that.

"Turkey probably looked at the fixtures coming into the tournament and saw they had a very difficult opener against the favourites Italy.

"They'd be looking at our game to get the three points, and we're fully prepared for that.

"But we'll be going for the win, and if you get four points from two games, it sets us up nicely."

ID:451499: cacheID:451499:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7422:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Euro 2020 banner Instagram AMP
Gareth Bale in action for Wales in November 2020
Read Next:
Five big talking points ahead of Wales' Euro 2020 clash with Turkey
>

rhs 2.0
Euro 2020 fixtures
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Sunday, June 27, 2021
Monday, June 28, 2021
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Friday, July 2, 2021
Saturday, July 3, 2021
Todays Game Header Right
Tables

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!