Bellamy bemoans new schedule after Denmark loss

What the report says

Craig Bellamy said Wales were disadvantaged by UEFA’s expanded four-match international window after his side’s 1-0 Nations League defeat by Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium. The loss, sealed by a second-half Rasmus Hojlund penalty, came three days after Wales beat Norway and marked their third defeat in four matches played over 10 days in the new schedule.

Bellamy argued the longer break places greater strain on smaller squads and those affected by injuries, saying the format suits larger nations with more depth. Wales were missing several players throughout the camp, including Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Dylan Lawlor and Harry Wilson, while Dan James was unavailable to start against Denmark and Ben Davies was probably asked to play too long, according to the coach.

On the field, Wales struggled to create chances and did not match Denmark’s intensity for long periods. Goalkeeper Danny Ward made important saves before the decisive penalty, but Bellamy said the result was not decided by that one moment alone. Despite the defeat, Wales moved up to third in Nations League Group A4 on head-to-head record after Norway lost in Portugal. They are next due to play Norway in Oslo before finishing the campaign against Portugal at home. The new format, introduced this year, combined the usual September and October international breaks into one longer window.