Despite Wolves’ winning home run came to an end in the final moments of their last Molineux match of the season against Everton, Julen Lopetegui was pleased with the professionalism his players displayed.
Yerry Mina’s late goal snatched a point from Wolves who had taken the lead in the first-half through Hee Chan Hwang, but with the visitors fighting for the lives in the Premier League and with Wolves having already secured their top-flight status for a sixth consecutive season, Lopetegui admitted it was tough to face a side who are playing ‘each game like a final’, but was happy with how the men in gold and black approached the fixture.
On a home draw with the Toffees
“We have suffered a lot, and it was a pity. It was a pity because I think we deserved to win today, more than Everton. But in the first game against Everton, we didn’t deserve to win and won in the last minute, and today, we lost two points. But this is football.
“We tried to be professional, to play well, and respect all the teams who they are fighting to get out of the relegation. I have no blame for my players because I felt they deserved to win but they suffered the goal. We were fighting ourselves to win a fifth game at home, so it was a pity for us.”
On taking the fight to Everton
“It's not easy because each player might start thinking about the future and other things and in each squads you have lots of future situations, which is why I put the focus in the main aim, which is to play football and compete with the opponent who are fighting for each game like a final. This is not easy, but I am happy with the commitment of the players today.
“The most important thing of the players was to show that they were professional and they competed very well. I am happy with the commitment, the behaviour and the spirit of the players.
“They have shown to the rest of the teams who are fighting to get out of the relegation that we are still competing, so I am happy with this commitment. It’s not easy to play these kinds of matches as it’s a final for Everton and we have shown that we are professional and we wanted to give a gift for our fans to win this match. It’s not possible in the last minute, so it was a pity for us.”
On making six changes
“We thought that would be better for the team because we have players who are ready to show that they are ready to play here, and we have to use this energy too. They have done it, so I am happy.”
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On his most difficult achievement
“It’s true because it was a very difficult situation in which we arrived here. If you remember, we were in the bottom at Christmas Day, with four points away from safety, with just 10 points and that’s why it’s been a very hard six months, and that’s why I consider this my most difficult achievement for me.
“This is the merit of the attitude and the spirit of the players and the club, but above all the fans, because they have given a lot in the bad moments, especially at home because we have had some very good matches at home, and this is a good thing for us.”
On plans for the summer
“We will see what is going to happen. In the summer, the aim is to always improve your squad. This year we have had a very hard year, for a lot of reasons, but one of the reasons is that we have this summer to improve our squad.
“That is why all of us in the club have to be ready to do it because the rest of the teams in the Premier League are going to be doing this too.
“If you want to compete in the Premier League you have to do all these things in the summer to be a better team and a better squad for the next year.”
