Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto commented on his team’s performance following their draw against Blackburn Rovers on the opening day of the Championship. Peixoto noted that his side played with more “heart” than “head” as they secured a point with an added time equaliser.
The home team initially took the lead in the first half. However, Blackburn responded with two goals, putting Wolves behind in the second half. Raul Jimenez then converted a penalty in the 93rd minute to salvage a point for Wolves.
Peixoto’s assessment of the match
Peixoto reflected on the game, stating that Wolves created better chances and attacked more in the first half. He observed a shift in the second half after his team conceded, noting that they played with more emotion than strategy, which led to a loss of organisation and made the game more challenging for them.
Despite the difficulties, Peixoto praised his players for their fighting spirit until the end. He views the result as gaining one point, but reiterated the team’s continuous aim to secure three points in every match.
Raul Jimenez, who scored the late equaliser, also shared his thoughts on the match. He expressed that while it wasn’t the desired result, the team showed significant heart to come from behind. Jimenez’s goal marked his return to the club after three years away.
The atmosphere at Molineux saw Jimenez being celebrated by the crowd. He had previously made a gesture of appreciation by providing scarves to supporters in the South Bank, aiming to reciprocate the support he has received over the past eight years, even during his time away from the club.
Player and manager reactions
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray commented on the penalty decision, suggesting that images indicated it was outside the box. He commended his team’s performance while also stating that they could improve and become a greater goal threat.
One Blackburn player, Ryan Alebiosu, expressed frustration regarding the late penalty call that went against his team. He believed he was outside the box when the decision was made, and despite the outcome, he felt the team had done everything to secure the three points.
Alebiosu added that if Blackburn continues to play with the same effort, they will progress well in the table. Mowbray‘s team demonstrated a strong defensive display at Molineux and also posed an offensive threat, with players like Morishita, Alebiosu, and McLoughlin being notable performers.
Jimenez acknowledged that the team needs to improve their clinical finishing in front of goal and refine their final passes and actions. He sees the start of the season as an opportunity for growth, despite dropping two points in the opening game. He emphasised the need for the team to continue developing and understanding the manager’s expectations.
The striker felt that a goal was imminent from the first minute, as Wolves were actively seeking a win. He noted that football can be unpredictable, and after conceding the second goal, the team had to push hard. Jimenez stressed the importance of patience and maintaining organisation, concluding that the team showed a lot of heart, even if their overall play wasn’t at its best.
Blackburn‘s Jake Garrett replaced Gudjohnsen during the match. Dapo Afolayan, who joined Blackburn from St Pauli in January, had a strong performance, switching flanks and challenging Wolves‘ defence. Sam Morsy made his Blackburn debut, replacing Adam Forshaw.
Gudjohnsen scored for Blackburn, with Morishita providing an intelligent pass to Afolayan, who then set up Gudjohnsen for the finish. The goal stunned the crowd at Molineux. Blackburn‘s strategy involved sitting in shape and pressing less, relying on counterattacks. Cesar Peixoto may have gained insights into the competitive nature of the Championship from this match.
The match concluded with no further drama after Blackburn‘s final corner, marking an eventful start to the Championship season.
Source: bbc.co.uk