Rob Page is confident the power of collectivism can not only subdue the individual brilliance of Poland’s Robert Lewandowski and transport Wales to Euro 2024 but prove there really is life after Gareth Bale.
Tuesday night’s playoff in Cardiff will dictate whether Wales qualify for a third successive European Championship and a fourth major tournament in five attempts and quite possibly determine Page’s chances of remaining in the role. Leading his country to Germany this summer without the now retired Bale around to destabilise opponents would certainly be a feather in the head 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,” said Page as he finalised plans to frustrate the visitors’ 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 would not seem the same team without Barcelona’s Lewandowski wearing the armband and proving why, even at 35, he remains among the world’s most feared strikers, Wales have had to do some considerable readjusting to Bale’s absence.
Wales’ record caps holder and leading goalscorer retired shortly before the start 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,” said Page, whose side have recovered from an awkward patch last summer and are unbeaten in seven games. “We’re only one tournament past Gareth’s retirement and one win away from qualifying.
“If we can be there or thereabouts at the end of the qualifying campaign, while we’re still in this transition of introducing young players without some of the world-class senior players we’ve had, then we’re in a good place. It shows the strength in depth and quality we’ve got coming through.”
There has been quite a changing of the guard since Page succeeded Ryan Giggs in November 2020, with the coach presiding over a recent infusion of youth. Only two survivors from Euro 2016 – when Wales reached the semi-finals in France – are expected to start against Poland.
While Danny Ward will be in goal and Ben Davies in defence, the once catalytic midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set for a place on the bench. “We’re in a healthier position with regards to the age and legs we’ve got on the pitch,” said Page, who will be heavily reliant on the youthful energy of, among 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 must trust that a central midfield axis comprising the 23-year-old Ampadu and 19-year-old James will overcome a Poland XI that often struggled during qualifying, finishing a disappointing third in their group. “They would have been favourites to qualify and we’ll take note of that,” he said. “They’re in the playoffs for a reason.”
Wales have taken the precaution of practising penalties in preparation for a potential shootout. “We’d be stupid not to, we’d be ignorant to ignore that,” said Page. “But it doesn’t take away our confidence.”
It helps that he is extremely close to his squad. “I’ve a great relationship with them,” he said. “I’m an emotional guy and I know what we’ve got in the changing room. We’re all in it together and we all enjoy the way we want to play. I’ve got players that absolutely love it, thrive on it. The way we play at the top of the pitch is still a work in progress but they’ve all bought into it.
“Qualifying would be a great achievement. You’re always going to get bumps in the road, especially in transition, and we had one in the summer. What pleases me is the reaction. To go unbeaten in seven and play in the manner we’ve done, it really, really pleases me. I’d be an extremely proud man if we get the job done.”
