Gareth Bale’s free-kicks are as bankable as penalties according to Jonny Williams – and Wales are ready to cash in again against Russia on Monday night.
Bale has hit stunning back-to-back goals against Slovakia and England in his first two matches at Euro 2016.
Both were struck with deceiving dip and swerve and proved too good for Slovak goalkeeper Matus Kozacik and then Joe Hart.
Teammate Williams insists: “A free-kick on the edge of the box is arguably as good as a penalty sometimes for us – Gareth’s that good at them.
“He’s maybe the best player in the tournament and I’m sure there are going to be a few more from him.”
Williams earned the foul that enabled Bale to score against the Slovaks, while Hal Robson-Kanu and Joe Allen combined to coax a costly trip by Wayne Rooney in Lens.
The Crystal Palace midfielder – on loan at Nottingham Forest for much of last season – admits Wales will continue to set the bait for defenders so that Bale can produce his venomous bite.
“I’ve grown up dribbling with the ball and running at people. That invites challenges. People are going to come and tackle you and unfortunately I’m not Lionel Messi and I can’t burst past them and leave them for dead.
“So, sometimes so they end up catching me and taking me down. We play with freedom and Chris Coleman gives us that freedom to get on the ball, get turned and run at players.
“He doesn’t really give us strict guidelines as to what to do in the final third and we like to run at players to create those opportunities.”
Bale has now scored nine and created two of Wales’ last 13 goals scored in competitive matches.
