Conor Coady
To raise awareness for World Wildlife Day and show support for the endangered Mexican wolf campaign, Wolves have removed the wolf from the club’s badge for a day recently.
Wolverhampton Wanderes said “Imagine a world without nature. For one day only the wolf’s absence from the club’s famous badge will raise awareness for the importance of animals in our world. Earth is home to countless species of fauna and flora, and the rich diversity is what has made our planet inhabitable for all living creatures, including humans. However, unsustainable human activities and overexploitation of the species and natural resources are imperilling the world’s biodiversity – nearly a quarter of all species are presently at risk of going extinct in the coming decades. Wolves’ support for World Wildlife Day mirrors a commitment to helping the WWF in saving the endangered Mexican wolf – a campaign launched with the assistance of Raul Jimenez.”
This is another initiative taken by a premier league club in help preserving the nature and wildlife after Brighton decided to not switch on the floodlights during certain months of the year in order to not harm a specific breed of insects to the stadium in order to preserve them earlier this year.
Nuno Espirito Santo says he will remember their Europa League draw at Olympiacos for educational purposes, rather than the occasion.
Nuno Espirito Santo said “It was very tough, the beginning was strange, both sides were missing someone to push. It was not a very good game. Once they were down to ten, we controlled the game, we had possession of the ball, but we didn’t unbalance them enough to create chances. Let us be fair to them and everybody, it has an effect, but it was not due to that. They were well organised, not many spaces and a very good team.”
Wolves came from behind to earn a draw, and a crucial away goal through Pedro Neto’s deflected strike, but the contest reflected the atmosphere around the tie. Played behind closed doors, neither team stamped an authority on proceedings, but Wolves left content with their job at the halfway point, thanks in large parts to Neto’s crucial strike in Greece.
Ex Newcastle United player and Colombian international Faustino Asprilla has bizarrely urged countryman James Rodriguez to shun Wolverhampton Wanderers’ interest to avoid ‘always fighting relegation’. Wolves have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Colombian playmaker Rodriguez from Real Madrid this summer. The Colombian has never really settled with life in Madrid and has only played 13 times for Zidan’s side this season.
Faustino Asprilla said “Not being able to play must be very uncomfortable, very annoying, also James can never be absent from the Colombian national team. James doesn’t have to go suffer at Wolverhampton, a team that always fights against relegation. James has football to be at clubs like Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal. He can’t despair because he has a lot of football to play for a bigger club.”
Wolves have been a destination for many South American players in the last few years with Raul Jimenez being the most successful one. Rodriguez has been to Bayern Munich as well as part of a loan deal but could not secure a permanent deal at the German club.
Wolves captain Conor Coady admitted the eerie Europa League clash with Olympiacos felt like playing in a youth team match. The last-16 first-leg tie was played behind closed doors at the Karaiskakis Stadium on Thursday on the orders of the Greek government in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Conor Coady said “it was strange, not many of us had (played behind closed doors) before. You can hear everything and everyone. It was like going back to reserve team days and under-18 days. We embraced it and took it on. People might think it was easy after they go down to 10 men but they are a top team and made it difficult. When you come to places like this and you give them chances they are going to take them. We are disappointed with that because we were trying to push. We wanted the win, but we will take the draw.”
Wolves returned home with a 1-1 draw and an important away goal thanks to Pedro Neto’s 67th-minute strike, after Youssef El Arabi had fired the home side in front.
