Relegated Wales eager for Germany 'opportunity'

Germany thrashed Wales 5-1 in Sinsheim in October as Gemma Grainger's side conceded five goals for the second successive Nations League game

Wales boss Gemma Grainger says her side have benefitted from playing top opposition despite being beaten in their past six matches.

They will be relegated to League B whatever happens in Tuesday's final game against Germany in Swansea.

"I've answered this question about 25 times and my answer will remain the same, to be the best you've got to play against the best," she said.

"We've got to look at performances."

Wales complete their Nations League campaign with a daunting task, with Germany the visitors to the Swansea.com Stadium seeking a victory which would secure them top spot in Group A3.

Grainger's side are on their worst run of results since 2019, though their six defeats on the bounce have come against sides ranked third, sixth, 12th and 14th in the world, while Wales are ranked 29th.

Wales are the only nation in League A of the Nations League to have never qualified for a major finals and are also the lowest ranked side.

"Playing in League A is exactly where we want to be in terms of learning," Grainger said.

"Our next step is qualification for the Euros and this is the very best way to prepare.

"Preparing to play against the higher ranked teams is something our players are thriving off.

"The big focus for us will be on the performance against Germany.

"Playing against them is a fantastic opportunity for us."

'We are used to suffering a lot of pain'

Captain Sophie Ingle says Wales are taking a long-term view about their run of defeats, which includes back-to-back 5-1 losses against Germany and Denmark.

Wales' aim remains qualifying for a first major tournament and Chelsea's Ingle believes short-term pain will be for long-term gain as they get used to regularly playing the world's best teams.

"Playing the top teams back-to-back is hard, but it's been a good challenge for the squad," Ingle said.

"Hopefully going forward it will help us in the long run. There is always a bigger picture.

"We are used to suffering a lot of pain... but there are positives we can take from these games.

"We have never played top teams every three weeks before. Hopefully it is going to help us, next year and the year after.

"It is all part of our growth. We knew it was always going to be a tough challenge against the best, but we wanted that challenge and we are learning from it."

TEAM NEWS

Wales will be without forward Hannah Cain for the foreseeable future after she again suffered a serious injury.

Cain suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in training in the build-up to Friday's 2-1 home defeat by Iceland in Cardiff.

The Leicester City player also had an ACL injury in 2022 that ruled her out for a year, with he absence a huge blow for club and country.

"I never thought I'd have to go through this experience and heartbreak again in my life. However, it is exactly that - an experience," Cain wrote on social media.

"The last comeback felt so good I just had to go and do it twice."

Grainger has backed Cain to return to the Wales squad after rehabilitation.

"I am pretty confident she's going to come back better than ever. Obviously it's devastating news for us," Grainger said.

"Her mindset is very focused on getting back and we will support her from the first moment until the moment she gets back out onto the pitch.

"We look forward to seeing her back in the shirt. Our goal now is to qualify for the Euros for Hannah."

Wales will also be without midfielders Carrie Jones and Anna Filbey.

Bristol City's Jones, 20 and Crystal Palace's Filbey, 24, clashed heads during the warm-up before Wales' defeat to Iceland.

Both players have returned to their clubs for assessment in line with the protocol for potential concussion.

Hearts defender Esther Morgan withdrew from the squad before the Iceland game with an ankle injury.

Horst Hrubesch's resurgent Germany - who need a win to secure top spot in the group and to keep their bid for Olympic qualification on track - are boosted by the return of captain Alexandra Popp to lead their attack.

MOST RECENT MEETING

Germany 5-1 Wales (Friday, 27 October, 2023)