Phil SumblerThe delayed Euro 2020 tournament may only be five days old but already it feels as if we may have reached crunch day for Wales as they prepare to face Turkey in Baku.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland in the same city was a good result but with the group favourites – and ominous looking – Italy waiting at the weekend it is a crunch match for Wales tonight against the side currently bottom of the group courtesy of their heavy defeat to the Italians in the tournament’s opening game.
A win for Wales tonight will surely see us progress through to the last 16 of the tournament whilst anything less is likely to see us staring in the face of an early tournament exit unless we spring a result against Italy.
It isn’t quite a must win game but in the context of the stage of this tournament it is relatively close but equally Turkey will experience that same pressure and with the expectation of their nation on them.
And with host city being in Azerbaijan – the closest ally of Turkey – it will be very much a home game for Turkey as they look for a win to kick start their campaign after their disappointment of Friday evening.
“When you come into an away stadium you know you’re going to get abuse,” said Wales captain Gareth Bale when speaking to BBC Sport.
“But it’s something all us footballers have dealt with in the past – it’s normal. You enjoy it and feed off the atmosphere.
“Of course they’re not saying great things or booing us but you want to silence them.
“It gives you extra motivation, if we needed any more. It’s the atmosphere we enjoy the most and that’s what makes football so good.”
Turkey captain Burak Yilmaz hopes the support will help his side recover from an opening 3-0 defeat against Italy in Rome.
“I would like to thank Azerbaijan citizens. They are our friends and brothers – since we came here we have felt it,” said the 35-year-old Lille striker.
“In Italy we were an away game, 100% from the beginning. Now we will be at home and it will make a difference.”
The game in Baku kicks off at 5pm with coverage on BBC 1.
