A win over the Slovakian champions would put Wolves a step closer towards reaching the knockout stages of the competition in the club’s first year back in Europe for almost 40 years, but the versatile speedster admits his team mates go into each game expecting to win – regardless of the opposition.
On Europa League aims
“We play each game to win – whoever the game is against, whatever the team is, we want to win when we’re on the pitch. No player in the team goes out onto the pitch thinking we will lose.
“Within the team, the important thing is taking it game by game, but I can tell you that we go into every game to win. We are aware of what the three points will do, but the important thing is focusing on the game we have in front of us.
“Each game for us is important and each game, against whatever is the team, we fight to win. We don’t come out onto the pitch thinking ‘we have three points, three points will make sure we’re in the next round’ – whatever is the game we will go out to win.”
On team’s recent form
“The team has been performing great, we’ve been doing a great job. It’s a new competition for us, playing three games, two games, in a week and it’s tough.
“But the mentality of the team is great and whatever the team who play against us, we will fight until the end. We deserved more in the game against Arsenal – one point was definitely good against a great team, but I think we were the team who were looking for the three points.
“We had to watch the game, we watched what we could do more and after that we need to grow as a team and grow as a player.”
On playing 22 games already this season
“The important thing is about the mentality that Nuno expresses to the team. Although we are a short squad, we know that if you want to be in the competition, you have to be like this with the team we have.
“This is the situation we have, and the important thing is that we have a game plan. Every game plan we have with Nuno is great and the mentality of the team is fight until the last minute – and this is what we do.
“We have ambitions, this is a great competition and I think every player wants to play in Europe and, for me personally, I want to play football and will play in any moment.”
On utilising his versatility
“I trust in the process of Nuno. I’ve been playing in three different positions and when Nuno made me come on in the last Europa League game, I was playing winger, but it doesn’t matter if I play as wing-back or striker, I can play in these positions and I will do my best.
“My mentality is whatever the position, if I can give my quality to the team there, that will make me a better player. If I start on the bench, I will want to come out to help the team and give my best to win.
“Everyone knows that my natural position is a winger, this is the position I’ve always played in my life, but I’ve been working hard on these different positions and showing insight in the pitch.
“When I play striker, like I did in the last minutes against Manchester City, I want to improve myself in each position as it makes me a better player because each game and each situation needs different solutions.”
