Vitor Pereira
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Vitor Pereira has urged his team to draw inspiration from their second-half performance against Liverpool earlier this year as they prepare to face Manchester City. Wolves are currently on a six-match winning streak, which has seen them climb from 17th to 13th in the Premier League standings. This weekend, they face a formidable City side that is third in the league and recently secured a spot in the FA Cup final.
Vitor Pereira said: “A good example is our game at Anfield. We must decide if we want to be the team that played the first half (after which they were 2-0 down), with too much respect, or we choose to be the team in the second half, a team with ambition, organisation and character. I prefer the second half. In the Liverpool game I saw two different teams, two different mentalities, the first one with a lot of respect, waiting and in the second half I watched a different game. I see my team with courage, playing, pressing, trying to score goals. This is my personality, and this is what I want to see in my team.”
Pereira’s comments highlight his desire for Wolves to play with more ambition and less deference, especially against high-caliber opponents like Manchester City. The manager is keen on his team showcasing the same determination and tactical organization they displayed in the latter stages of their match against Liverpool, where they managed to pull back a goal after a lackluster first half.
Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, have been in excellent form, winning their last three league matches and defeating Nottingham Forest 2-0 to reach the FA Cup final. Pereira acknowledged the strength of the opposition, emphasizing the need for his team to defend well against a side known for dominating possession.
Pereira added: “Of course, they will have more possession than us. Of course, we need to defend well.”
Despite the challenges, Pereira remains optimistic about his team’s chances, although he did note some injury concerns within the squad. Long-term absentees Yerson Mosquera, Enso Gonzalez, and Sasa Kalajdzic remain sidelined, and there are “some small problems” affecting other players.
As Wolves prepare to face Manchester City, Pereira’s focus on replicating the second-half performance against Liverpool could be crucial in securing a positive result. The manager’s emphasis on courage and ambition will be key as they aim to continue their impressive form and climb further up the Premier League table.
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