Gareth Bale insists Wales’ whole team must to be at 100 per cent to beat Turkey as the Dragons prepare for their crucial Euro 2020 clash in front of a hostile crowd.
Wales secured a well-fought 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their Group A opener, but they are well aware they need a victory to put one foot in the last-16.
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Around 34,000 are expected at Baku’s Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, with Turkey able to count on the vast majority of support inside the arena.
Thousands of Turkey fans will be in Baku for the crunch Group A game, including Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while only a few hundred Wales supporters will be present.
And Bale insists Wales will be spurred on by the partisan support at their second game of Euro 2020.
“I think it’s good to be playing in front of big crowds,” the Real Madrid winger told talkSPORT. “We’d obviously rather play in front of 30,000 Welsh fans!
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“It’s obviously not meant to be but whenever I’ve played in Turkey before the atmosphere has been incredible.
“We understand they’re going to be cheering on the Turkish team, but to be playing in this tournament we want to be playing in front of crowds, so it’ll be nice to have that atmosphere at the stadium tomorrow and get back to normality.”
Bale believes that success for Wales won’t be down to individuals but rather a collective effort from the team.
“Of course I have the experience of playing in big games and hostile games, but it’s not about me stepping up it’s about the team stepping up,” the Welshman added.
“It’s about us as a team. Everyone always goes on about individual performances and individual this, that and the other.
“The most important thing is we work hard collectivly as a team. Work hard in defence and attack and deliver together.
“I said all through my Wales career that it doesn’t matter who scores, but whoever does score we celebrate together and we win together.
“Everyone’s too driven by individual performances when you can’t do it without your teammates. We’re focused on doing things together and working hard.
“We’ll deal with the atmosphere and I’m sure we’ll put in a good performance together.”
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