HomeFootball NewsWales v Poland: Rob Page says Dragons have improved since World Cup

Wales v Poland: Rob Page says Dragons have improved since World Cup

-

Rob Page believes Wales are in a better position now than they were when they reached the 2022 World Cup, as they prepare for Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualification showdown with Poland.

Wales thrashed Finland 4-1 on Thursday to advance to the final of play-off path A, where they will meet Poland following their 5-1 rout of Estonia.

Page’s team are looking to qualify for a third straight major tournament after reaching Euro 2020 and the Qatar World Cup under him.

They needed a play-off to reach that latter tournament, overcoming Austria 2-1 in a March 2022 semi-final then beating Ukraine 1-0 in the final after a three-month layoff.

Read our other international football news stories here:
Argentina vs El Salvador: Preview, how to watch and prediction
Manuel Neuer leaves Germany squad after suffering adductor injury
Mainoo targeting Euro 2024 after Man Utd wonderkid wins first England call-up

Looking ahead to the Poland game after Thursday’s win, Page said: “We are in a healthy position because we’ve got everybody playing.

“The gap in the World Cup play-offs suited us because we had senior players who weren’t playing club football, in Aaron [Ramsey] and in Gareth [Bale].

“That gap helped us. If it had been four or five days later, we might have struggled a bit.

“Now we’re in a different position because we’ve got a younger squad, a fitter squad, we’ve got players who are playing regularly.”

While Wales will have home advantage for Tuesday’s game, Page knows Robert Lewandowski and company will provide a major threat, with Poland having reached the last four editions of the Euros.

“The message is that this is half-time. We’ve now got a massive effort to go on Tuesday and we can’t wait,” he said.

“Poland will be a tough game and we respect what they’re all about. However, we know if we bring our A-game, the result will take care of itself.

“We’ve been there and done it, we know what we have to do, it doesn’t faze us. We’ve had a taste of major tournaments and we quite like it.”

Harry Carr
Harry Carr
Harry is a freelance sports journalist with experience of working for the Racing Post, Stats Perform, Opta Analyst and more, covering major events across all sports but holding a particular love for the beautiful game.

LATEST POSTS

Ramsdale delighted to have secured Southampton switch

Aaron Ramsdale could not hide his delight after securing a deadline-day move to Southampton. Goalkeeper Ramsdale has signed a four-year contract at St Mary’s after Saints...

Ancelotti hungry for UCL success with Real Madrid to go with LaLiga triumph

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is eyeing the Champions League trophy to go alongside the club's LaLiga success. Los Blancos confirmed their record-breaking 36th title at...

De Zerbi hails Aston Villa as ‘one of the best teams in the Premier League’

Roberto De Zerbi says his Brighton side beat "one of the best teams in the Premier League" on Sunday. The Seagulls took all three points thanks...

Madueke backing Chelsea for Europe after West Ham thumping

Noni Madueke is backing Chelsea to finish as high as possible after the Blues thrashed West Ham 5-0 in the Premier League. First-half goals from Cole...

Most Popular