Wales kick off their Euro 2016 campaign vs Slovakia. Both sides will be hoping to advance from a tough-looking Group B containing England and Russia
AGENCIES
Bordeaux, France
Slovakia and Wales will take their first ever European Championship steps on Saturday afternoon in Bordeaux believing that their star players can help them to the second round.
In Gareth Bale, Wales have a player who can light up any occasion, and had a hand in nine of 11 of his side's goals in qualifying. Slovakia will look, in turn, to Napoli’s Marek Hamsik. Now approaching veteran status, he is certain to want to make the most of his nation’s first opportunity to shine.
Despite relatively serene qualifying campaigns, recent times have proved trickier for both teams. The Dragons played just one warm-up game and a thrashing by Sweden made their dependence on Bale apparent. While the Real Madrid star is a worthy focus for his team, team-mates will need to step up if he is not to be harried out of the competition.
Meanwhile, Jan Kozak cycled through a number of players in an impressive series of friendlies. He oversaw wins over Georgia and Germany before concluding with a draw against Northern Ireland. Sampdoria defender Milan Skriniar made his debut in the first of those matches, and impressed enough in his two caps to earn a place in a squad. He is one of few inexperienced names who have made the trip. Yet with all-time top scorer Robert Vittek missing the tournament, it remains unclear where the Falcons goals will come from.
Injuries and Suspensions
Chris Coleman is still sweating on the fitness of Joe Ledley, who is recovering from a broken leg suffered only last month. The Crystal Palace man returned to full training during the week, but it is uncertain if he will be available for selection so early in the tournament.
Vittek was not guaranteed a starting spot for Kozak's side though his experience and eye for goal would have been welcome had he recovered from injury in time.
History
The two sides have met just twice previously with peculiar away wins in each game. Bale scored his first Wales goal in the initial meeting during Euro 2008 qualifying, but his strike was a sole bright spot in a 5-1 defeat in Cardiff.
The Dragons found their shooting boots for the return fixture, with Craig Bellamy netting twice in a rout that ended 5-2 in their favour.
Player to Watch: Gareth Bale
If Wales are to thrive, either in this game or the tournament, they will need the Real Madrid livewire to be at the top of his game. Easily their best player during qualification he has the potential to be one of the players of the tournament.
While his supporting cast in the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Ashley Williams are undoubtedly talented, no-one else in Coleman's squad will carry anything like the pressure that is heaped on Bale's shoulders. His influence dominates the Welsh side entirely, but if he is able to produce the form that has helped Real Madrid to two European Cups in three seasons, it will surely be enough to see off Saturday's opponents and give the Dragons real hope going into the midweek meeting with England.
Probable Line-Ups
Wales: Hennessey; Gunter, A Williams, Davies, Richards, Allen, Ledley, Taylor, Ramsey, Bale, Robson-Kanu.
Slovakia: Kozacik; Hubocan, Durica, Skrtel, Pekarik; Pecovsky, Kucka; Weiss, Hamsik, Mak; Duris.
Head To Head Record
Slovakia 2-5 Wales (12 Sep, 2007, European Championship Qualifying)
Wales 1-5 Slovakia (7 Oct, 2006, European Championship Qualifying)
