WOLVES GET A KO WARNING
ESPANYOL v WOLVES KO 5.55pm, 1st leg 0-4
ESPANYOL boss Abelardo Fernandez has warned Wolves to beware a shock knockout punch tonight.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men look certainties to clinch a last 16 Europa League spot after their emphatic 4-0 win at Molineux last week.
But Abelardo (above) warned he would not be throwing in the towel.
He said: “I know England is crazy about boxing because of Tyson Fury. If this tie was a boxing match then Wolves are 90 per cent favourites.
“But I remember when Mike Tyson fought a complete underdog in Buster Douglas and got knocked out. Maybe we can be a Buster Douglas and pull off a shock!”
Abelardo is trying to steer a ship in crisis away from the rocks – Espanyol are bottom of La Liga and in a desperate fight to avoid relegation.
He made nine changes for the first leg because he sees avoiding relegation as the absolute priority.
And after the Molineux clash he reverted to his strongest possible line-up for last Sunday’s crucial clash with relegation rivals Real
Valladolid – but still saw his side lose 2-1.
With Atletico Madrid visiting Espanyol this weekend, Abelardo knows that many consider their Europa League campaign an unwelcome distraction.
Abelardo, 49, who is the third manager to take charge of the Barcelona club this season, could make as many as 11 changes for this evening’s second leg.
He said: “It’s almost impossible, we know that, but we will be looking to put up a good fight.
“We need to score four goals and not concede any to take it to extra-time. It’s tough. But you never know.
“If we could get to halftime 2-0 up then maybe we will give ourselves a chance.
“I wish we could make it to the next round. We have to fight but also we have to get a good feeling back among the supporters.
“We need to be brave and daring – what the fans expect – and then, who knows?”
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