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Gareth Bale: Wales forward 'raring to go' in Euro 2020 qualifiers

Last updated on .From the section Walescomments54

Harry Wilson, Gareth Bale and Ben Davies
Harry Wilson, Gareth Bale and Ben Davies did not feature against Trinidad and Tobago
Euro 2020 qualifiers: Wales v Slovakia
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Sunday, 24 March Kick-off: 14:00 GMT
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Wales & Radio Cymru; live text updates on the BBC Sport website, watch highlights on BBC One Wales, 22.30 GMT

Wales forward Gareth Bale is "raring to go" before their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, as he aims to put a testing season with Real Madrid aside.

The 29-year-old's campaign has been affected by injury and criticism from fans and media in Spain.

But Bale is fit and ready to spearhead Wales' attack against Slovakia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday.

"I've only had one injury. I've been fine. I have been playing. I've scored a decent amount of goals," he said.

Bale, who played a leading role in Wales' run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, added: "We want to be playing in the major tournaments and experience what we have been through. We need to produce again, we need to work hard as a team.

"I am ready. I am raring to go."

Bale has enjoyed great success since joining Real from Tottenham for £85m in 2013, winning four Champions Leagues and one La Liga title with the Spanish club.

He has scored 14 goals in 35 club games this season but he has still been the subject of criticism, even getting jeered by a section of his own support during Real's defeat by Barcelona earlier this month.

Bale seems happiest when he is on international duty, revered by fans as the nation's record scorer.

He scored a free-kick during Wales' win over Slovakia in their opening match at the European Championship in France three years ago, the last meeting of the teams.

And in preparation for Sunday's match against the same opponents - against whom Bale scored his first international goal in 2006 - Wales manager Ryan Giggs has been showing his players videos of the 2016 campaign.

"It gives you those good memories of what we did and the hurdles we had to get over to qualify," said Bale.

"It was a good thing to watch to refresh the mind on how to do it and show the youngsters what we went through.

"It's two quite different teams at different times now.

"It's great to have the experience that we did on that day, but we know it's going to be a difficult game tomorrow."

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Croatia are the top seeds in Wales' qualifying group and the World Cup runners-up, who started their campaign with victory over Azerbaijan on Thursday, are the bookmakers' favourites to win the group.

Wales are second seeds and Slovakia, who made a winning start against Hungary, are third - but Bale insists his side are aiming higher than the second qualifying place.

"We are going for top spot," he said.

"We are always the underdogs. The bookies aren't always right. We are going to go into this campaign looking to win the group.

"We know both countries got off to a winning start the other day, but there is no reason why we can't."

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54 comments

  • Comment posted by End Racism Boycott Qatar, at 16:43 23 Mar 2019

    Bale is a fantastic player and can make the difference BUT will someone please tell him that haircut makes him look a complete and total prat!

  • Comment posted by End Racism Boycott Qatar, at 17:05 23 Mar 2019

    Good luck the to British nations playing today!

    Come on Wales and Gibraltar!

  • Comment posted by Tony, at 18:04 23 Mar 2019

    1. Posted by tranmere
    What a stupid comment
    How is Bale the most over rated Welsh player of all time
    74 caps and 31 goals.
    Welsh Footballer of the Year: 2010,2011,2013,2014,2015,2016
    La Liga: 2016–17
    Copa del Rey: 2013–14
    Supercopa de España: 2017
    UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
    UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017

  • Comment posted by Simulations, at 16:26 23 Mar 2019

    @1

    Why did you even bother wasting your own time with that?

    It's sadly ironic that you chose to use the word, pathetic.

  • Comment posted by Happy days, at 17:02 23 Mar 2019

    @1 Forgotten how Harry Kane pulled out England friendlies against Brazil and Germany yet miraculously recovered to play against Arsenal days later?

  • Comment posted by Steve, at 05:50 24 Mar 2019

    We need to get back to being hard to beat. Banks of 4 & be compact.

    So far under Giggs we give too much space between the midfield & the backline - this needs to change.

    We have enough pace & quality going forward so we just need to be difficult to break down ourselves.

    Hamsik is a quality player & someone will need to do s job on him to keep him quiet.

    We have enough to win this!

  • Comment posted by U15708717, at 06:25 24 Mar 2019

    . Posted by Al
    England would annihilate Wales
    ======
    I agree 100%, just as they did in Rugby :)

  • Comment posted by Hello, at 19:23 23 Mar 2019

    'We are always the underdogs.' You're not though are you? It says right here in this article you're third seeds in a group of five.

  • Comment posted by U16583824, at 12:43 24 Mar 2019

    but Bale insists his side are aiming higher than the second qualifying place.
    "We are going for top spot," he said.

    I think he said "We are going for top knot"

  • Comment posted by Davethewave, at 08:42 24 Mar 2019

    A lot will depend on Bale if Wales are to qualify again. Some good youngsters coming through but not sure they have international quality defenders or overall strength in depth. Ramsey and Ampadu will be huge misses today. Wales need fully fit squads and big performances from their big players if they are to qualify.
    It's very disappointing to read some of the comments relating to Bale on here.

  • Comment posted by electricgypsy, at 08:00 24 Mar 2019

    C'mon you Brave Welsh Dragons!!...Together Stronger!

  • Comment posted by Al, at 17:43 23 Mar 2019

    7 - you’d get a royal hiding. Be careful what you wish for boyo

  • Comment posted by barca, at 17:01 23 Mar 2019

    If Bale plays well, Wales win like they did the last time they played Slovakia in Bordeaux 2016 and Bale scored then too

  • Comment posted by footie fan, at 16:48 23 Mar 2019

    Surely he must be injured again.

  • Comment posted by manofkent, at 12:22 24 Mar 2019

    @43 not the "England have an easy group" guff. They are top seeds because they beat other teams, it's that simple. All the top seeds have "easy" groups.You had an easy group in WC qualifying and were top seeds but finished third behind Serbia & Ireland. Stop making excuses.

    @41 I wouldn't use a few trolls to justify your prejudices against a whole nation. Theres plenty from all countries.

  • Comment posted by U17568635, at 19:30 23 Mar 2019

    pheasant plucker aka Mister Joe Bangles

  • Comment posted by superbiker, at 18:19 23 Mar 2019

    He won't be "winning" anything else now the good players have left Real M

  • Comment posted by Onionbudgie, at 14:46 24 Mar 2019

    Come on Slovakia

  • Comment posted by U17577809, at 13:12 24 Mar 2019

    Calamity upcoming for the Welsh.

  • Comment posted by Eddguy , at 11:35 24 Mar 2019

    He's taken over Giggs mantle for his country very well imo (more available for friendlies as well). Wales are slightly over reliant on him at times which can be worrying. Can't see them having too many problems with this group but it'll be very close between them and Croatia for the top spot

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