No limits for Wolves after reaching Europa League knockouts, says Nuno

Nuno Espirito Santo refused to put limits on his side after Wolves reached the knockout stages of the Europa League.

They blew a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 in Braga on Thursday but got the point needed to qualify from Group K with a game to spare.

Raul Jimenez, Matt Doherty and Adama Traore had put them 3-1 ahead after Andre Horta’s opener.

But Paulinho and Fransergio netted after half-time to deny Wolves victory.

Despite the second-half disappointment, Wolves are second in the group and sit fifth in the Premier League having lost just once in their last 14 games.

“We are trying to develop and improve and to achieve other results. We don’t have limits, we always try to keep going,” said Nuno, who has been linked to Arsenal this week.

“It’s not about momentum, if you expect to play when you have good momentum you’ll have problems. We always want to compete, the momentum doesn’t mean anything.

“It’s about preparing yourself for the competition, that’s why you don’t have limits.

“It was our 26th game, we started very early in the season, but the balance has been good and the team is improving.”

Horta’s deflected effort gave Braga an early lead, but Wolves were 3-1 up by the 35th minute.

Jimenez levelled when he nodded in his 15th goal of the season before setting up Doherty and Traore to score within 81 seconds of each other.

Wolves were in control but lost their way in the second half and Paulinho pulled a goal back in the 64th minute.

Braga skipper Fransergio then headed in a leveller with 11 minutes left.

Nuno added: “The first half we started badly but a goal like that can happen. The reaction was very good, it was good combinations.

“The second half was not so good, not so well organised, and we conceded in situations where we must improve.”

Braga are a point ahead of Wolves and travel to Slovan Bratislava in their final game with victory guaranteeing top spot.

Boss Ricardo Sa Pinto said: “There’s no doubt these are the best two teams of the group, this is why we have finished as the top two.

“The confidence was quite high in the first half but we didn’t press as we should and with the goals we were not so good.

“Both teams took their chances, we tend to be better with the ball but it wasn’t the case.”

FourFourTwo Staff

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