The goalkeeper has been the consistent presence between the sticks for the old gold since his move to Molineux in the summer of 2021, but feels the impact the Spaniard has made on the squad will see them fight ‘like warriors’ in order to maintain Wolves’ place in the top-flight for another season.
On focusing on the Premier League
“The team are with a good shape, we are working very good and we believe that we can win. We have to believe. We always go inside the pitch to win and we believe in our quality and we believe in what we do here in Compton.
“I think we’re doing very well and we deserve better, but sometimes we need some luck too because in some games we’ve been unlucky, but this is football.
“The Premier League is the most difficult championship in the world, but we will run and we will fight to do everything we can to bring the wins.
“For us, we want to win every game. Of course, that’s not going to happen, but that’s our mentality. We go inside the pitch to win the game. After, what comes, we will see, but all we can do is improve and climb up the table, and that is our focus.”
On looking to push up the table
“We look at the table. After the games, every player will look and see where we are, and what happened to the other teams who are fighting with us, and we’re looking at their next games and our next games to see, but our focus is always on us.
“The fight is very big, there are a lot of teams who are fighting, but the championship is in the middle and we have a lot of games to play and a lot of things will change.
“Two or three more wins can make a big difference, because we would be sixth or seventh, and this gives us the confidence to fight and to run, to help and to score, and go further up the table.”
On Lopetegui's impact
“He has made massive changes, to our mentality, our way to work, to press, to be on the pitch and this was very good for us and we are very happy to work with him. Now it’s about fighting for him.
“We are more like warriors. We are looking for each other, they are protecting me and I am protecting my teammates. We are more of a family and we are giving all for our teammates, and this is very important because we are showing character, and we like this.
“The coach has helped us a lot to improve this. We are of course the same players that we were before, but he’s made changes to the mentality and our way to work.”
Wishing our 'keeper a happy birthday!
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 17, 2023
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On improving his penalty saving record
“It’s good this season, but last season is was a disaster! In 11 or 10, I only saved one. I decide in the game, I analyse the play and I watch videos before the game too, but after, I decide.
“I see the movement of the player and then I decide. If I can save them, then I will. I will do my best.”
On his first 18 months at Wolves
“It’s been good. It was a dream come true when I first came here to the Premier League because for me, it’s the top of the top. Of course, I was happy because I helped the team to achieve, although it was not what we wanted.
“We wanted European competitions, but we did a very good season and I did a very good season, but so did my defence. Last year, the defence was our strongest point, so I was happy.
“The beginning was hard because I know Rui and I play with him in the national team and he’s an amazing goalkeeper, and here, the fans love him because for four years he did very good things. So, the beginning was hard, but after, that was forgotten, and I started my job.
“It’s very different. Here is more quiet and more family, but I’m a family guy, so for me it’s good. Me and my wife like to be at home, although sometimes we like to go out, but that’s not a problem. And the football, it’s the best, and the people who work here, they are the best, and I was very happy to come here.”
On representing his country at the World Cup
“We were there to win the World Cup, and we didn’t, but the experience there was amazing. It was my first World Cup, and I was happy to be there to help the team when they needed me and where I could help.
“It’s difficult to talk about the World Cup when you didn’t win it. We are all excited to see what comes now, and we are all ready to give everything.
“[Playing for Wolves] has helped me a lot because where you play, in terms of a championship, is very important [to getting selected]. It’s different when you play in the Premier League than if you play in another league, because the Premier League is the best, so I think it helped me a lot to go more to the national team.”
