PORTUGUESE REF WON’T FAVOUR US SAYS NUNO
Traore ready to take on Italians & didn’t forget passport this time
NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO has flatly rejected Italian fears that Portuguese officials will hand Wolves an advantage in Turin tonight. Torino are in a sweat after UEFA named an allPortuguese refereeing
ADAMA TRAORE wants to put Wolves on course for the Champions League – after forgetting his passport on their last European trip.
Wanderers face stiff Italian opposition in Torino tonight in the first leg of the play-off round for the Europa League group stages.
The winner of the competition in Gdansk, on May 27 next year, will earn a place in the Champions League.
Traore came through the ranks at Barcelona and played against Ajax in the tournament in 2013, and he is anxious to test himself at the highest level on the continent once more.
The 23-year-old Spaniard said: “I want to play in Europe. I’ve never played in Italy, so it will be the first time and a new and great experience.
“Of course, every player wants to play in the Champions League. But if you want to reach that level, you have to focus on the first step and, after that, we can go step by step.”
The winger is in Italy after being left at home when Wolves visited FC Pyunik, in Armenia, in the previous round, but says boss Nuno Espirito Santo quickly forgave him for turning up with an
ID card rather than his passport.
Traore admitted: “I did have a little problem. But whatever the problem outside of the pitch, I speak with the boss and, if he is all right, it is OK for me. If he has any problem with my error he will tell me. It is no problem and I am improving.” Traore played 36 games last season, but 24 of those came from the bench.
He wants to start more often and could earn that right after replacing wing-back Matt Doherty at half-time on Monday against Manchester United, and turning the game as Wolves rescued a point.
“We have been working since the season started on a new position. Normally, I am a winger and now I am a wing-back,” he said.
“Against United, the boss said, ‘Come on and do what you know to do going forward and defensively in the ways you have been working’, which is what I tried to do. It is a little different, but going forward, I’ll still show what I can do.
“I am happy to play wherever – as a winger or striker or wing-back.
“My normal position is winger, but now I am a wing-back, so my mentality is wing-back.
“If I can adapt and play well, it makes me a better player.
“Last season was exciting, and any season in England makes me learn something, whether I play much or not.
“It makes me a better player and I will reach my dreams one day, definitely.”
Traore suffered relegation from the Premier League with both Aston Villa and Middlesbrough as a youngster.
But he is now learning to properly harness his blistering pace, which first caught the eye.
He added: “Most of the time, I don’t need to give my top speed, which is the truth.
“What is the point doing your full speed? I have to go in line with the ball or in line with the pass.
“I have to run cleverly.”