Two national teams cresting historic waves collide in a pivotal 2016 European Championship qualifying match on Friday when Group B front-runners Wales and Belgium meet at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Belgium, 4-3 winners against France in a friendly last Sunday, rose to a highest ever position of second in the most recent FIFA ranking, while Wales slipped one place to 22nd from their own highest ever ranking of 21st.
The two teams are level on 11 points at the halfway stage of the qualifying campaign, with Belgium top on goal difference, and Wales’s Aaron Ramsey believes that Friday’s match is his side’s most important in a decade.
“It’s probably the biggest game we’ve played in for Wales with this group of players,” said the Arsenal midfielder. “We are both top of the league at the moment and there’s a lot on this game.”
Belgium and Wales’ squads are at similar stages of their development, with both configured around a nucleus of players who progressed through their respective countries’ youth teams at roughly the same time.
Both teams boast experienced Premier League defenders and rely on youthful, world-class talent in midfield and attack – Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard for Belgium, Gareth Bale and Ramsey for Wales.
At Split…
Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci has called on his Juventus teammates to take the frustration of losing the Champions League final out on Croatia when they meet in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday.
Bonucci, one of six Bianconeri players originally called up to Antonio Conte’s squad last week, hopes playing Croatia and then Portugal, whom they meet in a friendly next Tuesday, will help them ease the pain.
“Conte told me to just focus on Croatia, and that’s what I’m doing,” said Bonucci.
“The next two games will give us a chance to quickly digest things.”
Italy head to the Croatian seaside town of Split looking to extend their impressive 45-game unbeaten record in European Championship and World Cup qualifiers.
But going on recent form, player absences and their historical record against Croatia, Conte’s men face an uphill battle.AFP
We don’t fear them. If this group are all switched on together, we’ll give anyone a game.
