Bale is on fire: five things learned as Ryan Giggs’ Wales hammer Republic of Ireland

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Wales thumped the Republic of Ireland 4-1 in their UEFA Nations League opener on Thursday night.

The hosts produced a breathtaking first half display, rampaging to a 3-0 half-time lead thanks to three lethal finishes from Tom Lawrence, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey – Bale’s strike was particularly fine.

Connor Roberts added a fourth ten minutes after the break with a sumptuous strike, his first senior goal for club or country. Shaun Williams capitalised on a Ramsey mistake to score a consolation for Ireland, but the visitors otherwise rarely threatened.

Here are five things we learned from Ryan Giggs’ first competitive outing as Wales boss.

1. Bale is in the mood this season

Bale has already achieved plenty in his career, but he could be set for biggest season of his life on a personal level if he carries on the way he’s going.

Wales’ talisman has already scored three goals in three La Liga outings for Real Madrid this term, and he carried that form into the international break with a clinical performance here. His goal was typical Bale, cutting in from the right and putting both curl and power on and unstoppable shot.

When he plays like this, Bale’s conviction and ability rubs off on everyone around him. In a Wales shirt, the 29-year-old doesn’t act like the superstar he clearly is. Instead he influences his teammates to step up to somewhere near his level.

After the goal, his best moment came in the form of a brilliantly drilled pass to set up Roberts for the fourth. Moments before before that, Ireland defender Ciaran Clark cynically stepped across Bale off the ball, catching him in a sensitive area – in fairness it was the only way to stop him on the night.

2. Giggs should stick with fluid attacking foursome

It wasn’t only Bale who was in the mood. Wales oozed confidence, especially in the final third where Giggs may have found his ideal attacking set-up.

On paper, Bale started through the middle with Lawrence on the left and David Brooks on the right. But the trio interchanged constantly, with Bale drifting out to the right and Lawrence providing a threat through middle, while Ramsey – in a free role – gave Ireland something else to think about with his runs in behind.

Wales’ assuredness and fluidness can’t be understated. The home side’s attack blew Ireland away with the sheer pace and accuracy of their play. They were guilty of overconfidence on one occasion – Ramsey was caught out for Ireland’s consolation – but it hardly mattered.

Ultimately, Giggs will be delighted with the his side’s composed, forward-thinking style.

3. Ireland’s attack the polar opposite

If Giggs will be happy with what he saw, Martin O’Neill will be furious. Ireland completely failed to match Wales in just about every area, and the former Aston Villa manager will have genuine concerns ahead of upcoming fixtures.

Perhaps the most worrying aspect of Ireland’s performance was up front. Indeed, the contrast between the two attacks was more stark than any other area of the pitch.

There are the makings of a decent partnership between Jonathan Walters and Callum Robinson, and the duo combined reasonably effectively in the early stages of the second half. But their intensity and final product paled in comparison to that of Wales’ group of attacking players.

There are the makings of an effective partnership in Jonathan Walters and Callum Robinson, and the duo combined a couple of times in the early stages of the second half. But their intensity and final product paled in comparison to that of Wales’. Walters will also regret being inexplicably robbed for the third goal.

4. Ampadu’s future might be in midfield

Ethan Ampadu is yet to play for Chelsea this season, but the 17-year-old surely isn’t far from giving Maurizio Sarri something to think about.

That said, Chelsea are well stocked in midfield and it looks like that’s where Ampadu may end plying his trade. The teenager’s sat in front of the back four during his Exeter days before moving to Chelsea, where he has dropped into the back line in rare appearances so far.

A fine drive forward and pass for Ramsey’s goals after cleverly nicking the ball from Walters showcased Ampadu’s attributes as a defensive midfielder.

Whether his long-term future for Wales is in midfield or defence remains a mystery, but his capability on the ball would arguably be wasted anywhere but the middle of the park.

5. Ireland are falling behind

When Ireland won 1-0 against Wales in a World Cup qualifier last year, some onlookers may have been tempted to write Wales’s Euro 2016 campaign off as an anomaly, an underdog story driven by Bale’s ability alone.

But Giggs seems to have discovered a similar magic to Chris Coleman already, and Ireland suddenly look like a team being left behind by their neighbouring countries.

The controversy surrounding Declan Rice’s potential switch to England is indicative of Ireland’s current lack of talent. Wales, in comparison, seem to have a number of young stars who could develop further yet.

Perhaps Ireland’s problem is at grass roots level, but O’Neill will take the lion’s share of the blame if things continue to go badly.

 

The post Bale is on fire: five things learned as Ryan Giggs’ Wales hammer Republic of Ireland appeared first on Squawka News.



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