Ahead of Wales’ opening tie against Switzerland, captain Gareth Bale dismisses concerns over goal drought, insisting he’s happy with assists
Gareth Bale during Wales’ training session in Baku yesterday. Pic/AFP
Wales captain Gareth Bale said on Friday he was unconcerned about his international goal drought on the eve of his side’s Euro 2020 opener against Switzerland. Bale, 31, last scored for Wales against Croatia in October 2019 but has created four goals in his previous seven appearances. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve made assists. I’m still contributing. I’m not worried,” he said. “If the chances arise to score, hopefully I can take them,” he added.
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Bale’s side start their campaign in Azerbaijan on Saturday in the competition that has been delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Real Madrid forward, who spent last season on loan at Tottenham, has scored 33 goals in 92 international appearances since making his debut in 2006 but his goalless run stretches back 11 matches.
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Wales coach Robert
Page, who will take charge of the side during the tournament as Ryan Giggs is facing trial in England, backed his star player. “It’s not the end of the world. If he’s not scoring, he’s supplying goals,” Page said. “If he’s not scoring, it’s important he’s setting up goals and he’s doing that.” The Euro 2016 semi-finalists rested Aaron Ramsey for two friendlies ahead of the competition and the Juventus midfielder sat out of Thursday’s training session. Ramsey, 30, also missed the Italian club’s five final games of the Serie A campaign with fitness issues. “There are no issues with Aaron whatsoever. He didn’t train yesterday. That was always part of the plan,” Page said.
“We worked backwards from Switzerland. Aaron has always been part of the process. He said yesterday he’s in a good place. That’s great news for us,” he added.
33 - No. of goals Gareth Bale has scored in 90 games for Wales
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