The opening goal, taken impressively by Diogo Jota, came following a brilliant passage of one-touch football which carved the Bluebirds open. Then, the crucial second was achieved through Raul Jimenez’s high press and another cool finish by the Mexican. It was no accident and seeing the hard work on the training pitch come off at Molineux delighted Nuno.
On the quality of goals
“That’s what we want, sometimes it’s possible, sometimes it’s not, especially against Cardiff. We go man to man in situations and the best way to unlock them is to play one, two touch football.
“To recover the ball where we recovered the ball (for the second goal) and take the right decisions to go forward was very good. We had many combinations, many situations, and two good combinations achieved the goals - I’m pleased.”
On the performance
“I think the performance was good in the first half, very well-played. We were organised, compact and had wonderful combinations where we achieved the goals.
“Then, you know it’s always going to be tough. Cardiff always push you with long balls, throw ins, set pieces, corners, and you have to be really organised in defence.
“A clean sheet is, like I always say, the beginning of everything. Credit to the boys for defending well the situations of Cardiff. After, if the game allows you, and the space is there, we must exploit it in the best way. Today we didn’t, second half we didn’t do it.”
On not adding to the lead
“If there is a but, I would say we should do better when we counter attack, we had some three versus two, three versus ones, where we must do better.
“Cardiff unbalanced themselves and we had superiorities. 2-0 is not a comfortable result ever, especially against Cardiff because they are so tough. You are always afraid that something can happen and change the reality of the goal.”
On five changes
“We have 16 players, we have a short squad, but it is a very hungry squad, they want to be ready for the moment and it’s up to us to choose and decide when that happens.
“What is important is to prepare the squad, so we are able to choose the right 11 to start the game. We have to manage situations well and we have total confidence in the players who came in.
“Everybody has to be hungry for their chance. The response was fantastic so credit for the boys, especially for the way they worked. It pleases me a lot to have a ready squad, to prepare a strong eleven.
“We have to rest and recover well. It was a tough, tough week. The boys worked very hard, now we have to settle down and prepare for the next one.”
