AGONA Profile: Wolves, the dangerous English side with a strong Portuguese flavour 

The AGONA Profile takes a closer look at Wolverhampton Wanderers, who will compete against Olympiacos in the Last 16 of the UEFA Europa League.

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Greek fans are familiar with this Wolves team mainly because Daniel Podence transferred to the English organisation from Olympiacos in the summer. Nevertheless, even if we ignore the fact that Wolves have Podence on their books, they boast a strong, talented team which is sure to create a number of problems for Olympiacos over the course of the two legs.

Wolves have been a revelation since returning to the Premier League in 2018. Last season, they impressed on their way to seventh position of the table, only finishing nine points behind sixth-placed Manchester United. Boasting a strong squad with the likes of Joao Moutinho, Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez and Podence on their books, Wolves have continued their rapid progression in the 2019/2020 campaign, currently occupying fifth spot of the standings and having recently defeated Tottenham Hotspur in London. They have only lost six of their 29 league games so far.

The English side have been solid in the Europa League too. In the summer, Wolves had to begin their European journey in the second qualifying round, subsequently defeating Crusaders, Pyunik and Torino on their way to the group stage. In Group K, Wolves finished in second place behind Braga and ahead of Besiktas and Slovan Bratislava, before comfortably seeing off the challenge of Espanyol 6-3 on aggregate in the Round of 32. It’s worth noting that this is Wolves’ maiden continental campaign since the 1980/1981 season!

Wolves have never previously faced Hellenic opposition in a competitive match.

In the past, Wolves have become champions of England on three occasions, while notably reaching the final of the UEFA Cup in 1972 where they lost to Tottenham. Wolves have also hoisted the FA Cup four times and the League Cup twice.

Full name: Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club

Founded: 1877

Owner: Fosun International

Stadium: Molineaux (Capacity 32,050)

Head coach: Nuno Espirito Santo

Major honours: Champions of England (1954, 1958, 1959), 4 FA Cups (1893, 1908, 1949, 1960), 2 League Cups (1974, 1980), 4 FA Charity Shields (1949, 1954, 1959, 1960)

HEAD COACH

Nuno Espirito Santo deserves plenty of credit for the rise of Wolves. Since becoming the head coach in the summer of 2017, the Portuguese manager has taken the team from the second tier of English football to the knockout stages of a major European competition, introducing an attractive brand of football in the process. His presence is the reason why Wolves possess a grand total of eight players in their senior team.

Santo, despite the perception that English clubs do not take the Europa League particularly seriously, has consistently fielded strong line-ups throughout the competition. As a professional goalkeeper, Santo represented Vitoria Guimaraes, Vila Real, Deportivo, Merida, Osasuna, Porto, Dynamo Moscow and Aves before eventually retiring and turning his hand to coaching in 2010. Incidentally, between 2010 and 2012, he worked as the goalkeeping coach at Panathinaikos.

The 46-year-old has also been the head coach of Porto, Valencia and Rio Ave. 

KEY PLAYERS

Raul Jimenez, 28, is Wolves’ main source of goals. This season, the Mexican striker has already amassed a tally of 22 markers and 10 assists in all tournaments for Wolves, with nine of them being registered in the Europa League. A clinical forward, Jimenez only needs the slightest pocket of space in order to score, and the fact that he’s made 10 assists shows that he’s got more to his arsenal than just scoring. The Olympiacos defence has been warned.

Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho, now 33 years of age, provides a vital link between defence and attack with his direct, positive approach. An excellent passer of the ball, Moutinho is a dominant figure in the midfield, always looking to pick the opposing defence apart and find an onrushing teammate. In the 2019/2020 season, Moutinho has participated in 45 Wolves games, popping up with 12 assists and the one goal in the Premier League. In the past, the midfielder starred at Sporting Lisbon, Porto and AS Monaco, as well as on the international stage.

Matt Doherty is one of the most reliable players in this Wolves team. Often an unsung hero, the right-back is a consistent performer for his club, also capable of playing further forward on the flank. In the current campaign, the 28-year-old Irishman has been productive on the right wing for Wolves, netting seven goals and providing three assists. Doherty has experienced it all at Wolves since moving to the club from Bury FC in January 2013. 

We can’t not give Daniel Podence a mention. In truth, it’s been somewhat of an underwhelming start to life in Wolverhampton for the diminutive Portuguese winger, as he’s largely been used as an impact substitute. However, there is no doubting the talent and potential which the 24-year-old has, and he has made one assist for Wolves in the Europa League. It remains to be seen if he will come back to haunt his former employers Olympiacos in this tie.

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