Wales haven’t lost in Euro 2016 qualifying, and with eight spots being added to this edition of the competition, they look very likely to make the finals. The biggest reason for their success is probably Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey being the best players they’ve had in a couple generations, but they’ve made a few other important tweaks as well.
Backheel Breakfast: The secrets of Wales’ success
Yes, it is mostly that Gareth Bale is amazing at football, but there’s more to them.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Players stay in hotel rooms not designated by number but by famous Welsh personalities accompanied with a photo on the door, with Wayne Hennessey staying in the ‘Shirley Bassey Suite’ and another in the ‘Tommy Cooper’ room.
That story also includes stories of darts tournaments and Elton John karaoke sessions, as well as some notes about stuff like ‘scouting’ and ‘sports science’.
In the news
Argentina will rest Lionel Messi in their friendly on Tuesday. (ESPN FC)
Harry Kane will start for England against Italy. (BBC)
Radamel Falcao is scoring for Colombia, and he wants it to get him another chance for Manchester United. (Guardian)
Expect Vicente Del Bosque to make 11 changes for the Netherlands game. (AS)
Carlo Tavecchio points out that Juventus’ lawsuit over damages incurred due to Calciopoli would bankrupt the Italian FA. (Football Italia)
Southampton made a lot of money last year, not including transfer market profits. (Mirror)
You should be reading
Richard Farley on the Abby Wambach-Sydney Leroux trade. (Soccer Gods)
Paolo Bandini on the pressure Antonio Conte is facing as Italy boss. (Guardian)
Manuel Veth on the Montenegro-Russia incident and hooliganism in the region. (Futbolgrad)
Fun with transfer rumors
The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.
Atletico Madrid could sell Miranda to Manchester United for less than his release clause. (AS)
Liverpool will not sell Raheem Sterling. (ESPN FC)
Three Bundesliga sides watched Danny Ings on Monday. (Mirror)
What to watch on Tuesday (click for listings, all times ET)
Switzerland vs. USA (12 p.m.) - Can the USMNT stop themselves from falling apart in the final 10 minutes?
Italy vs. England (2:45 p.m.) - Expect blood and guts.
Netherlands vs. Spain (2:45 p.m.) - These should be two weird, highly experimental teams.
Argentina vs. Ecuador (7:30 p.m.) - No Messi, womp womp.
Mexico vs. Paraguay (9 p.m.) - Expect to see 10 changes from El Tri.
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