Nuno Espirito Santo has warned his Wolves side they still have work to do if they are to overcome Crusaders in Europa League qualifying.
Diogo Jota gave the Premier League club the lead after 37 minutes before a last-minute goal from Ruben Vinagre ensured they claimed a 2-0 win at Molineux. Wolves dominated the game and were perhaps unlucky not to win by a bigger margin, but Nuno insists the tie isn’t over just yet ahead of next week’s second leg in Belfast.
He told Premier Sports: “It’s tough, the season starts earlier. Players come in on different dates. “We showed we are ready, but not as sharp and accurate as we should be. Crusaders fought for every ball to prevent goals. It will be tough [in the second leg]. We will have to be focussed in Belfast.
“It [the second goal] makes a difference. To control the levels of anxiety during the game is tough. When a team are organised and fight for their lives, it’s difficult.
“It was a special night at Molineux, the atmosphere was good. We must bring players. That’s obvious. But we must bring quality to maintain our high standards.”
The winner of the tie will take on either Czech outfit FK Jablonec or Armenia’s FC Pyunik in the next round, with Pyunik holding a 2-1 lead after their first leg.
Wolves are 23.00 to win the Europa League outright, Premier League rivals Manchester United are the 6.00 favourites and Spanish side Sevilla can be backed at 13.00.
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