Dan James says his Wales side shouldn’t ‘fear anyone’ ahead of their final Euro 2020 group A game with Italy this weekend.
Cymru head into the game against the Azzurri this Sunday knowing a point will guarantee they advance to the Round of 16 in the competition.
Wales still can finish third in the group, however are all but through to the next round based on the third-place playoff system.
But the Manchester United midfielder has said that they won’t be heading to the Stadio Olimpico worrying about their unbeaten opponents, who are the tournament’s current top scorers.
“I don’t think as a team we need to fear anyone. The whole Italy team throughout is a great team. Obviously they’ve got people in there, Chiellini and Bonucci who have been there and done everything.
“But we don’t want to go into any game playing for a draw. I think we want to win every game and we fully believe we can do that.”
Embed from Getty ImagesRob Page’s side put in an outstanding performance against Turkey in the week that put them all but through to the next stage of the competition. Goals either side of half time in Baku set the Red Dragons on their way.
James once again put in an impressive performance and the Hull-born winger was quick to praise the efforts of his side on a special night for the country.
“What a performance it was last night. We went out there and we fully believed we could get the win. It was kind of like a home game for them really with all their fans, but it was great to hear that noise again.
“There were times where we didn’t have the ball as much, that was always going to happen. But we believed we could score another one and we created a lot of chances.”
The scorer of the opening goal in Baku on Wednesday was Aaron Ramsey. Ramsey will be very familiar with the Italian team that has a strong contingent of Juventus players, where he plays his club football.
The Caerphilly born midfielder missed a few good opportunities before latching on to a Gareth Bale through ball and finishing well.
James was quick to compliment the 30 year old midfielder who had to train alone before the competition in order to be fit in time.
“Aaron’s brilliant. He’s exactly what you see on the pitch. He works so hard and unfortunately for us he’s had injuries throughout the last two years.
“He’s been absolutely brilliant since he’s been here, around the place. On the pitch he’s always working hard for the team and obviously what he gives going forward is brilliant as well.”
Embed from Getty ImagesSince Dan James burst onto the scene at Swansea, the winger has been renowned for his pace, recording the second fasted speed of anyone at the tournament so far in the Turkey clash.
The 23-year-old has shown his deadly pace on several occasions in the last week or so and spoke on the main weapon in his artillery.
“I don’t think you can ever get near that top speed unless you kind of have a good 30-yard sprint, it doesn’t really come around often. It’s something that a lot of people have sent me.
“It’s something that I’ve got to use to my advantage, I’ve always tried to do that. There are times where I’ve maybe not used it as much as I can.
“In this kind of tournament where the games are coming thick and fast and the weather, it was very hot there last night. You’ve just got to pick your moments.
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
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