Austria boss reveals admiration for Spurs star ahead of Wales clash

Tuesday, February 5, 2013
9:25 PM

Austria manager Marcel Koller has identified Gareth Bale as the man his side must stop if they want to secure a friendly victory over Wales tomorrow night.

The in-form Tottenham winger will be Wales’ most potent threat to the Austrian defence at the Liberty Stadium, as the home side look to improve on a run of just one win in seven games.

Austria, meanwhile, are hoping to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat against the Ivory Coast in November, and gain some valuable momentum ahead of the resumption of World Cup qualifying next month, with Koller’s team lying fourth in Group C.

If the visitors are to emerge victorious, their Swiss manager knows how important it will be to keep Bale quiet.

He said: “Bale is the key player for Wales, especially in terms of his offensive play. We have to work together to try and stop him, rather than having one player man-marking him.

“He is extremely fast, he has very good technique. I watched him play against Germany five years ago and he was outstanding.

“I first noticed him when I was a club manager (with Bochum) but I think he is now too expensive for most clubs.”