Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui rejects ‘apologies’ following latest penalty denial against Leeds
Here’s your daily recap of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday morning 19th March.
game report
Jack Harrison, Luke Ayling, Rasmus Kristensen and Rodrigo pounced on the visitors as they escaped the Premier League relegation zone. Jonny spectacularly snatched back a goal before Matheus Cunha made it 3-2 but Jonny was then sent off for a dangerous tackle on Ayling.
Unused substitute Matheus Nunes was also sent off after Rodrigo’s goal for an altercation with the assistant referee. Wolves were furious after Adama Traore was withdrawn in Marc Roca build-up.
Wolves also felt they should have received a first-half penalty after Nelson Semedo went down under a challenge from Junior Firpo.
What Julen Lopetegui said
“We should have gotten a penalty, that was very, very clear, but I don’t know what will happen to us again,” said the Wolves coach. “These fans deserve the same respect as any other team in the Premier League.” So I don’t know why we are because it’s a different decision. I can clearly give you five other penalties [Wolves should have had this season].
“It’s about opinion. You have to have an opinion and as a coach I have to give you my opinion and the penalty I saw is clear. It’s very, very clear, he didn’t touch the ball, he touched it [Semedo’s] Knee.
“I had to replace him in the second half because of this injury so it’s very clear he didn’t touch the ball. In the last game it was a penalty, but we only got an apology, but we don’t want apologies, we want fairness.”
What Javi Gracia said
“I think we got a very, very good win today,” the Leeds manager told LeedsLive. “I think our players played a fantastic game and they deserve the reward, the three points, because I think we showed a very good face today.”
He added: “Of course, when we analyze the game, I tell you that we have to improve a lot of things. We were more clinical than other games today. But at the same time, I think we can do better in defence. I know that my team did it.” a very big effort to defend well, I know, but we’re playing against a very good team with very good players.
“When I saw that [Wolves] Bank before the game started I could see Adama [Traore] i could see [Matheus] Cunha, [Matheus] Well, I saw a lot of good players there. And it’s really a very good squad. You are well organized. All my respect for Julen [Lopetegui] also because I know him very well. I know how good he is and the technical stuff too.
“And we knew beforehand how tough it was going to be here again today, but I think we did a good job and got the points.”
What the fans said
One fumed: “Shocking. who can be to blame [Ruben] Neves for moving on in the summer, why would he want to stick with this shower?”
Another anxious fan said: “Black Country Derby in the Championship.” A third added: “We’re not a Premier League side.”
A fourth joked: “I’ve always loved the Championship.” Another fumed: “Losing at home to Leeds is embarrassing.”
One fan raged: “Most of these players haven’t quite realized we’re still in the middle of a relegation battle & it’s embarrassing.”
Of those referral decisions, one supporter said: “Congratulations to Leeds, we were soft on those goals and they took them well… BUT… there were some shameful refereeing decisions there.”
Next
Wolves have a battle of all and nothing with Nottingham Forest in a fortnight. The game will take place on April Fool’s Day at the City Ground with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
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