Wolves fans free to dream of Europa League glory, says Nuno
Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 First Leg - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Espanyol - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - February 20, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diogo Jota celebrates scoring their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo understands why the club's supporters are dreaming of Europa League glory after their 4-0 win over Espanyol on Thursday but he says nothing will be taken for granted in the return leg.
Diogo Jota scored a hat-trick for the second consecutive game in the competition, and Ruben Neves found the net with a long-range volley in a dominant first-leg performance at Molineux Stadium.
Nuno's Wolves are now fifth favourites with the bookmakers to win the Europa League.
Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 First Leg - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Espanyol - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - February 20, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
When asked if fans are right to believe the club could go all the way, Nuno said: "They know me, now we have to recover, rest because we play on Sunday. After that we can think about other things but dreaming is for free.
"I'm happy for Jota, delighted, as when a player scores three goals it means he has helped the team a lot.
"He did a good job, and Neves also scored a beautiful goal. It's organisation, taking advantage of the talent of the players."
Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 First Leg - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Espanyol - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - February 20, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diogo Jota with manager Nuno Espirito Santo after being substituted off REUTERS/Phil Noble
Wolves next host Norwich City in the Premier League on Sunday before heading to Spain for the second leg on Thursday.
"The tie is not over," he added. "Football is never over."
Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 First Leg - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Espanyol - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - February 20, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diogo Jota scores their first goal REUTERS/Phil Noble
(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 First Leg - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Espanyol - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - February 20, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diogo Jota celebrates scoring their fourth goal and completing his hat-trick Action Images via Reuters/Carl RecineSoccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 First Leg - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Espanyol - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - February 20, 2020 Espanyol's Ander Iturraspe and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diogo Jota clash REUTERS/Phil NobleSoccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 First Leg - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Espanyol - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - February 20, 2020 Espanyol's Ander Iturraspe and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diogo Jota clash REUTERS/Phil NobleSoccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 First Leg - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Espanyol - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - February 20, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates with Diogo Jota after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
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