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What next for Wolves as they
crash out
of the Europa League? |
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It was heartbreak for
Nuno Espírito Santo and his Wolverhampton Wanderers side, as they were
knocked out of the Europa league at the quarter-finals stage by five-time
winners Sevilla, earlier this week. Wolves had the opportunity to go ahead, but
when Raul Jiménez's first-half penalty was saved, they were made to pay
– and Lucas Ocampos' header two minutes from time secured it for the
Spaniards.
As a result of the extended European season, knockout matches
in both the Champions League and its second-tier counterpart have been played
and won over 90 minutes, as opposed to two legs, adding further sadness to the
Portuguese manager and their continental adventure. While it’s goodbye to
Germany for the West Midlands club,
all
the odds on Europa League markets are available online ahead of the
semi-finals. But what next for NES and his squad?
No place in Europe next campaign
It was
double heartbreak for Wolves, who not only got dumped out of this season’s
competition but also previously lost out on a place in Europe next term, after
finishing seventh in the Premier League. Having suffered a defeat in their
final game of the season – 2-0 away to Chelsea – they slipped from
sixth to seventh in the table.
With Manchester City winning the League
Cup, Tottenham Hotspur in sixth were awarded that Europa League Qualifying
place. Arsenal were FA Cup winners, ultimately rewarding them with a Europa
League group stage place. Manchester City then had their two-year European ban
overturned and took back their place in the Champions League next
season.
More players
needed
Following their defeat to Sevilla, the
Wolves
boss revealed: "We need more players to help us, it's a small
squad."
The stats back that claim up, all too well. In fact, 11 of the
14 players who featured in their very first Europa League match, turned out
most recently at Duisburg. Amongst all Premier League clubs, Wolves used the
fewest number of players all season – just 21. Their captain Conor Coady
was one of three players to feature in 57 of their 59 matches throughout the
campaign – further highlighting that whatever Wolves’ squad lacks in
size, there’s certainly a togetherness.
Nuno went on to add: "It is
time to reflect and analyse. The team that started the game is the same as the
first game of the season. We made mistakes we cannot repeat.
"Let's look
at our future and what we need. The club has been amazing. Making good
decisions will help us to be stronger."
A lengthy season with a shorter break
It was a
long, tough and extended campaign – as a result of their pre-season
qualification as well as the coronavirus pandemic putting a halt to proceedings
back in March. Wolves’ season lasted 383 days, equating to 59 games in all
competitions. Beginning on July 25th 2019, with a second qualifying round tie
against Crusaders at Molineux – and ending on August 11th 2020, with that
Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla.
The Premier League recently
revealed that the 2020-21 campaign would get underway on September 12th –
a mere six weeks after the previous campaign ended. With regards to the
campaign ending, the scheduled date is May 23rd 2021 – less than three
weeks before the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament kicks off.
Solid foundations
Since
Nuno joined the Midlands club, he’s taken them from strength to strength
– beginning with promotion from the Championship during his first season
in charge. He then led Wolves to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League
– the best finish in the top-flight for a newly-promoted side for almost
20 years – before repeating the feat last campaign too.
Despite
having a year left on his current contract, the
rumour mill suggests that the Portuguese manager will look to
sign a new deal before the 2020-21 campaign gets underway. Fans will be more
than happy with the recent successes, while neutrals can certainly appreciate
the free-flowing style of play and tactical awareness that Nuno has brought to
Molineux.
They are a team with massive potential, as highlighted
throughout the last two seasons and if they can build on their solid
foundations, there’s no reason why they can’t bounce back and secure
a place in Europe again. |
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