Diogo Jota: It's important we reach the Europa League group stages | OneFootball

Icon: OneFootball

OneFootball

Blaise Bourgeois·17 July 2019

Diogo Jota: It's important we reach the Europa League group stages

Article image:Diogo Jota: It's important we reach the Europa League group stages

Last season, Wolves defied all expectations to finish seventh in their first season back in the Premier League since the 2011-12 campaign.

Wolves earned results against each of the Premier League’s ‘top-six’, leading many to believe that the club can become a top-six side themselves this season.


OneFootball Videos


However, Wolves winger Diogo Jota, like manager Nuno Espírito Santo, wants to keep expectations realistic.

This browser is not supported, please use a different one or install the app

video-poster

“It was a great season but our fans are always expecting more. What we achieved last year will not be easy to achieve again and the fans need to understand that.

“The Premier League is the best in the world and success is not easy. We need to think it’s possible to build on it, but we know how hard it is, so we have to keep our feet on the ground.

“It has been a huge step, I think. I’m very proud to be a part of the growing up that we have done since I joined the club. We are all just looking forward to doing more and more here.

“This is a great project. From the first moment, that’s why I want to stay here for as long as I can and be useful to the club.”

Article image:Diogo Jota: It's important we reach the Europa League group stages

Playing European football on Thursday nights could get in the way of their top-six ambitions.

However, the 22-year-old insists that Wolves will not toss away their Europa League mission in search of domestic glory.

“I’ve never played in the Europa League,” said Jota.

Article image:Diogo Jota: It's important we reach the Europa League group stages

“I’ve played Champions League but I’m looking forward to helping the club reach the group stages. It’s very important to do that this season.

“It is good that we have some European experience in the squad. There’s a lot of experienced guys that have played internationals in their countries.

“It’s a good starting point but we have to know how hard it will be for us.”

Wolves will face either Northern Irish outfit Crusaders or B36 Tórshavn from the Faroe Islands, with the first leg taking place at home next Thursday, 25 July.