Rob Page has urged Wales to take “the gloves off” and prepare for a battle against Denmark.
The Euro 2016 semi-finalists are back in the knock-out stages with the whole of the nation urging them on back home.
Wales have five players on cautions after finishing second in Group A on goal difference.
But boss Page, 46, who stepped up to take control 11 games ago when Ryan Giggs was arrested, wants no holding back against the Danes in Amsterdam.
He said: “It is all out now.
“The gloves are off, we are in the knock-out stages.
“We are fully ready for it now.
“We are up against a very good outfit.
“They don't half work hard for each other.
“We are in for a tough challenge.
“We have to match them in every department from physicality and work-rate but we are fully prepared.
“They are going to work, battle, fight for each other and we have to match that.
“We are ready for a battle because it is going to be a battle.”
Page was typically measured and calm as he ran through his final preparations at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
He believes both he and his players can handle the occasion this weekend with a quarter-final in Baku up for grabs.
But the former Wales international defender, who has only managed Port Vale and Northampton previously, admits it is the biggest game of his coaching career.
He added: “This is the highlight and pinnacle of my management career.
“I have managed at League Two and League One level and then went to Nottingham Forest for a short time as assistant when Gary Brazil was caretaker before going into the Wales U21 job and I have now been involved for four years.
“It is a challenge I am enjoying but is a challenge made easier by the group I am working with.
“We know all the nation is behind us too.
“It is not responsibility, it is an honour to be here to represent Wales like this, there is no added pressure.”
Wales clinched a last 16 spot on goal difference with a gutsy 1-0 loss in Rome to the in-form Italians.
Wales were made to sweat after having Ethan Ampadu sent off in the 55th minute and he is suspended against the Danes.
But Page subsequently gave his squad plenty of down time to recover and insists they are raring to go again.
He said: “We have a game plan we think will hurt them.
“We have earned the right to finish second to get through to the last 16 in the manner in which we have done.
“There was a lot of people who didn't see us finishing second.
“The lads put a massive shift in to get us across the line to get us to second.
“Now we have a team in mind to go and beat Denmark.
“Understandably it is going to be a physical game and we'll have an eye on substitutions if needed.”
Denmark have got huge global support after Christian Eriksen's shocking heart-attack on the pitch.
Page said: “The world has taken note and there's emotion involved in it but we can't get involved in that.”
