Express & Star

Wolves comment: Nuno's side dip their toe into Group K

In a six-match group stage, nothing is really won and lost on the opening night.

Published
Last updated

That is the consolation for Wolves who, on their first foray into the Europa League proper, looked every inch a team easing their way into the tournament.

The same might be said of Braga, their Portugeuse visitors, at least until Ricardo Horta thumped them in front with 19 minutes remaining.

On a night when he came face-to-face with his best mate, Ruben Neves, it was the Braga man who was left celebrating, while his more illustrious pal endured another frustrating 90 minutes where nothing he tried quite turned out the way he wanted.

The mood was one of anti-climax. For all the excitement Wolves’ European journey has created, it would be fair to say Molineux did not quite crackle with anticipation prior to kick-off, certainly not to the levels which greeted last month’s second leg with Torino. The empty seats dotted around the ground - swathe in the Graham Hughes Stand - gave confirmation of that.

Patrick Cutrone walks back to the centre circle as Braga celebrate in the background (AMA/Sam Bagnall)

But then Torino was a night when everything lay on the line, whereas this was the merely the start of what fans hope will be an extended trip into the latter stages of the competition.

Thankfully, mistakes can still be corrected, though the desired escape from a disappointing start to the Premier League campaign this was not.

Wolves certainly began the game with the look of a team preparing for a marathon, rather than a sprint.

Instead it was Braga who came bursting out of the blocks, home supporters getting flashbacks of Saturday’s defensive nightmare when Galeno burst past an isolated Willy Boly inside the opening 30 seconds, delivering a cross which fell invitingly into the path of Fransergio. The shot, thankfully, was blocked on its way through to goal.

Gradually, Wolves began to find their feet, Morgan Gibbs-White creating the first big chance when he launched a pinpoint through pass into the chest of Cutrone, who was unable to bring it down for what would have been a golden chance.

It set the tone for a first-half in which the energetic Italian delivered everything but the finish. Another shot was sent flying over the crossbar after he had done the hard work by collecting Raul Jimenez’s cross and twisting, turning and left Braga defender Bruno Viana on his backside.

The best chance of the opening period, meanwhile, arrived nearly at the end, Cutrone collecting Matt Doherty’s pass but snatching at the shot and dragging it wide.

With neither team exactly at full throttle, some of the half’s more dramatic moments came courtesy of visiting boss Ricardo Sa Pinto.

Strength: Raul Jimenez tries to hold off two Braga players (AMA/Sam Bagnall)

Having already booted a water bottle several rows deep into the Billy Wright Stand in exasperation after his team had given the ball away, he then raced 10 yards, arms flailing, to stare down the fourth official when they saw penalty appeals waved away.

Wolves were braver and better in the early stages of the second half, pushing further into the Braga half. Leander Dendoncker should have opened the scoring but sent his shot too close to keeper Matheus, who saved with his legs.

But as the hosts probed, so Braga and Horta delivered the sucker punch. Bennett was caught in possession, Galeno raced clear and squared for the winger, who took advantage of time and face to pick his spot and silence the home crowd.

Neves nearly brought them back to life in spectacular fashion but Matheus proved equal to his long range effort. Much like the team performance, it was too little, too late.