Belgium not worried about recent Welsh history

29 June 2016 14:23

The two teams will meet in Lille on Friday in the last eight with Wales appearing in their first European Championships, while Belgium are looking to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1980.

In qualifying the teams played out a goalless draw in Brussels before Gareth Bale's goal split them in the return fixture in Cardiff.

Belgium have been more prolific in France, with a thumping 4-0 win over Hungary in their second round tie, with Eden Hazard approaching his best form in a man-of-the-match display.

And while Atletico Madrid winger Carrasco expects Wales to approach the game with a defensive mindset, he is confident the Belgians have the attacking talent to turn the tables on the Welsh.

He explained: "We are aware that they are a defensive team. But we have a team that can make the difference. Now the coach has to know what to do in order to not let goals in, and to score ourselves.

"Every game is different. We didn't get the results we wanted against Wales but now we are at the European Championships and the pressure is greater. It will definitely be different, and we are ready for it."

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots meanwhile insists his side will not focus all their attention on Bale, even if he has been the key man for the Welsh so far with goals in each of the group games before firing in the cross for Gareth McAuley's own goal in the last 16.

Wilmots said of Bale: "He is playing in a free role and is a bit everywhere, on the wing, and in the central attack. But I will not put one marker on him, we will collectively deal with him.

"We know Wales very well. They have made a great evolution and have two top players in their team: Ramsey and Bale. We lost one time in the qualification by an individual mistake. But then we also had plenty of chances ourselves."

Source: Sportsbeat