The importance of the FA Cup is not lost on Hugo Bueno, with the defender enjoying some of his greatest career highs and most heart breaking lows in the competition.
Despite being born in Spain, Bueno has spent the majority of his adult life in the Black Country. Having joined Wolves’ academy as a 16-year-old, he knows more than most just what the FA Cup means to the club and its supporters.
From his first experience of cup football in England under the Molineux lights as part of Wolves’ FA Youth Cup journey in 2019, to making his debut in the FA Cup at Anfield, to scoring his first goal in the quarter-finals against Coventry City, it’s a competition which holds great memories.
As Wolves prepare to do battle with Liverpool once more this evening, in not only a repeat of the Premier League fixture from three days ago – which saw Bueno come off the bench to help his team to three crucial points – but the Spaniard’s first appearance in the FA Cup.
With a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs, Bueno is hoping his team can get a result more like the one he experienced earlier this week rather than what they experienced back in 2023.
“That was a crazy game,” he recalls. “It was my first game in the FA Cup, but despite the result, it is one I will always remember.
“We were really close to getting through and then the offside against Toti happened. We were quite disappointed in the end, and then to not go through in the replay.
“But now we have the opportunity to go against Liverpool again and hope we can get our own back on them for that game. Get a bit of revenge.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game, but we’re at our stadium again, at Molineux, and we believe that we can win it.”
Molineux under the lights is a special place. The air around the stadium feels different.
There’s a buzz, a hope, a belief. When the innovators of night-time football more than seven decades ago illuminate the West Midlands sky for an evening kick-off, there’s an anticipation that we’re about to witness something incredible.
For Bueno, those are feeling he knows all too well. His first two games at the stadium were in his debut in the FA Youth Cup as Wolves overcame Nottingham Forest 3-0 before securing a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
Despite just a few thousand supporters in the stands, that gave him a taste of what was to come.
“I remember those early FA Youth Cup games because there was a lot of noise around them, especially with them being played at Molineux
“For me, it was my first year in this country and I didn’t understand why, but that competition gave me my first chance to play at Molineux, which is always special.
“I remember I was speaking with my old teammates and asking them to explain to me, why the FA Youth Cup was important, but since that day, I know they are big competitions in this country.”
Wolves’ run to the FA Cup quarter-finals in 2024 provided Bueno with some of the most cherished moments of his young career.
A stirring comeback under the lights against Brentford in a third round replay set up a visit to near neighbours and fierce rivals West Bromwich Albion in round four. Bueno’s first opportunity to experience what a real derby is like.
“It was also something really special that football gives you. We knew that game was going to be really important for us and for all the fans, a derby in the FA Cup against West Brown at their stadium.
“Then to get the win as well, it was so special. I didn’t get the chance to play, but the preparation during the week, the feeling before the game, even during the game, when the chaos between the fans happened, it was such a great experience to live though.
“Because those are the moments when you feel alive, when you feel that this is football. This is something special. So that is a great memory for me.”
Victory over Brighton – again under the lights at Molineux – set up a quarter-final with Coventry City. Bueno’s extended thoughts on this game can be found in Friday’s FA Cup special edition matchday programme, as he describes how the best and worst of his time in gold and black came within 15 minutes during that fateful afternoon.
“Scoring my first Wolves goal meant so much to me personally and it was such a great feeling,” he explained. “But then at the end of the game, I was devastated.
“That goal meant everything to me, and I thought I had scored the goal that was going to take us to Wembley. I’ve never been so happy in that moment, but then everything changed so quick.”
Who knows what could have happened if the game kicked off at 8pm rather than at lunchtime. But for the defender, he is hoping to use that disappointment as inspiration to go even further this time around.
Although Bueno was rested for both FA Cup games so far this season, which saw the Old Gold overcome the challenge of League Two duo Shrewsbury Town and Grimsby Town, he is determined to play his part this evening and help his club make their way to Wembley once more and banish the heartbreaking memories of two years ago.
“I haven’t played in the cup so far this season, but of course it is something that I’m waiting to do. However, if I don’t play and we keep winning and getting through, then that is the most important thing, but if I can play on Friday and we get through then it will be brilliant.
“But either way, it’s going to be such a special night under the lights. Because of my history with this club, it is always special for me to play at the Molineux, and against Liverpool, it is always such a great game.
“We are all really motivated for it, we know we have a huge chance to get to the quarter-finals, so we’re going to play with the same intensity. We know we have the opportunity to do it again this year, so why not?”
