FA Cup preview: Bristol City v Wolves

Having been sent to the stands earlier in the game, Nuno let out his emotion when Ryan Bennett came up with a last-gasp header to win 2-1.

Stood by former Bristol City boss Alan Dicks in the directors’ box, the Portuguese chief could be seen fist-pumping for several seconds.

And a few people did not take too kindly to it, including Robins gaffer Lee Johnson.

“The game was so emotional. And particularly it was so hard for me,” said Nuno.

“I was sent off. And I went to the stand, and being there it means you cannot really help the team.

“So all the emotions come and they transform themselves into what I felt was a big, big joy.

“A tremendous moment of happiness when Benno scored.

“Barry (Douglas) put that perfect ball to the second post. It was so, so important for us in that moment that I cannot contain myself.

“All of us are different. I just try to follow my instincts. Sometimes I know I make mistakes. But at the same time I admit them, I apologise when I have to, and I try to avoid them in the future.

“But I love football and I love my team.

“I think I’ve apologised already, if I have to say it again, then I will, I’m sorry.

“It was not my intention to be disrespectful to anyone."

Nuno, though, said him and Johnson met after that game in December 2017 – a huge one as Wolves went onto win the title – and buried the hatchet, so there is no animosity ahead of this FA Cup fifth-round tie.

After all, the pair have a lot of respect for each other, having done their coaching badges together.

“We’ve known each other since that moment in Largs in Scotland,” said Nuno.

“We had a chance, he invited me to his office. We spent some time together.

“Of course, both of us want to compete. He is doing very well.

“The job he is doing is fantastic. He lost so many players from his team and still keeps on fighting, nine wins in a row, they are in a good position in the Championship.

“I know how hard the Championship is, so a lot of respect and admiration.”

And Nuno, from that game, and the form City are in, knows tomorrow will not be easy.

“It’ll be a difficult atmosphere for a very tough game,” he added.

“Bristol fans will be supporting their team and I appreciate that we’ll have large numbers there.

“We have to be switched on and very focused.

“Last season, Bristol put big, big teams away in the Cup, so it’s an incredibly tough game for us.

“We must prepare very well. I’m confident we are going to be ready to compete.”

Nuno says

"We know how tough it’s going to be. The only way to go through is that we compete at the best of our standards. The players must be switched on.”

Memory lane

Ryan Bennett’s stoppage-time header sealed a dramatic 2-1 win for Nuno’s Wolves the last time they played at Ashton Gate – in December 2017.

The key man

After Wolves let in some sloppy goals against Shrewsbury, skipper Conor Coady will be out to keep a clean sheet in this encounter.

Likely line-up

Wolves (3-5-2): Ruddy; Bennett, Coady (c), Boly; Doherty, Neves, Saiss, Moutinho, Vinagre; Traore, Jimenez

Subs: Norris (gk), Kilman, Otto, Dendoncker, Gibbs-White, Costa, Cavaleiro