Spurs will be without Harry Kane and Son Heung-min for the Premier League clash, but the Wolves head coach, who confirmed Jonny is his only player missing the club’s first visit to the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, knows how tough a test his opponents – managed by his former Porto boss Jose Mourinho – will pose this weekend.
Nuno also gave his views on Friday afternoon’s Europa League draw, which will see Wolves take on Greek champions Olympiacos over two legs in March, in what is a swift return to Athens for Daniel Podence following his January move to Molineux.
On a Europa League last 32 meeting with Olympiacos
“They will be very tough. They are a very good team which we just saw yesterday [against Arsenal], so they are a difficult team.
“All the opponents that we play are very difficult. We are involved in the Premier League where the big teams are, where the big players are, and the Europa League has also been very difficult.
“Olympiacos is going to be another tough game, but we go game by game and we will dedicate the right moment and the right time to prepare the first leg, and we will be ready for it.”
On Daniel Podence facing his former club
“It is a big game for him and for everybody; for us, for our fans, for the club, for the city. I always insist that being involved in this journey of Europa League is massive for all of us.”
On Diogo Jota’s goalscoring form
“Not only Diogo, it’s about all the players. We know that the players have up and downs in terms of performances.
“It’s about realising that and choosing the right moments, the right solutions, to keep the team stable, knowing that there’s ups and downs, and that Diogo is in a good moment. I hope he continues.”
On the quick turnaround to face Spurs
“It’s a tight schedule, we have a couple of days to prepare, it’s about recovering well the players and preparing for what’s going to be a very tough game, against a very good team.
“The players who were not involved on Thursday have some more training on the pitch, but when we have a shape, we have ideas about adapting to our opponent and the way and how we want to do things, and Spurs is a very good team.”
On his relationship with Jose Mourinho
“It’s very good. He’s a fantastic manager, I know him, I was his former player and I have a lot of admiration for Mourinho; it’s public, and now we are opponents.
“We are opponents, but always with the respect and admiration of all that Mourinho has achieved.”
On showing Spurs respect despite injuries
“We have to show a lot of respect because the quality’s there. I know how hard it is going to be, because no matter who is not involved, the squad has quality players all over.
“Of course, Harry Kane is not involved, but there are solutions and Mourinho has been finding solutions, and always been able to compete well and achieving good results, so it’s going to be very tough for us, but we will look forward to it.”
