Bale: Wales not a one-man team

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale warned on Thursday that Wales should not be written off as a one-man team at Euro 2016, as Chris Coleman's men prepare for their opening game against Slovakia.

Seven-goal Bale was crucial role for the Welsh in qualifying as they reached a major tournament finals for the first time since the 1958 World Cup.

But the 26-year-old star was eager to stress the importance of his team-mates as he spoke at the squad's base in Dinard, Brittany.

"Together stronger"

"No, it's never a one-man team," said Bale, refusing to be weighed down by the expectations. "For us it's a squad thing. We're together stronger - we don't just say it for no reason.

"We all work hard as one unit - we attack as one and we defend as one. When we lose the ball we all fight back to get it.

"People can write what they want but we all know that we work very hard on the training pitch every day," added Bale, who said the team spirit was excellent as Wales ready themselves for their first match in Group B in Bordeaux on Saturday.

"We are like brothers"

"We all get on so well - we are like brothers. We are all friends and we joke around and play together but when it comes down to serious business we fight for each other."

Wales follow the Slovakia clash with games against England and Russia and, with third place potentially enough to advance, they are targeting the last 16.

"We do not want to come here and make up the numbers," declared Bale.

"We have done something that we have not done in a long time, but now we want to do even better.

"We are concentrated on what we need to do, we are working hard and come game time we will be ready to go, 100 percent."