Match-winner Mario Lemina believes the high press and defensive solidity was key to Wolves advancing into the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup.
Lemina’s fifth goal of the season in the second minute was the difference against Brighton & Hove Albion at Molineux, with the Old Gold able to hold their nerve for the remaining 88 minutes. Midfielder Lemina says the team had to follow a specific game plan and were well aware of the test the Seagulls were going to pose, while he also stressed the importance of the FA Cup for the club as a whole.
On progressing into the quarter-finals
“To be honest, we knew it was going to be a tough game. They’re a team who control a lot of the game and have a lot of the possession.
“They played well and the gaffer made a shape to try to control them and dominate play in the middle of the pitch, play them on the side.
“We tried to make some counter-attacks and it worked. We tried to be in the box a lot and make them feel like we can score, and we did it. It’s really good.
“I had more chances to score as well. It’s been a really interesting performance from us and as we have done a couple of times now.
“Defensively we are really strong and we love to play against this kind of team because we know our strength and it worked today.”
These two.
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 28, 2024
🥹🫶 pic.twitter.com/zrAZnv0rJf
On the importance of pressing high
“It was really important because we knew that they were going to try to play a lot from the midfielders.
“We knew that when we are going to press them, they’re human beings and they’re going to stress when we press them high with high pressure – that’s what we tried to do.
“We had a couple of chances after our pressing and I think we are confident because we have a really good team to counter-attack.”
On having to come off
“I had a little pain on my heel and I didn’t really want to risk it because we’ve got another game on Saturday and I want to be fit.
“I know that we’ve got players on the bench who can make the difference as well. I’m really pleased to play for Wolves and such a team.”
😛 @LeminaM_13 😛 pic.twitter.com/rIHK5D5TFo
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 28, 2024
On what the FA Cup means
“I know it’s important for the club and even for the fans. The FA Cup is a huge competition in England.
“To be honest, we just think about what we have to play every game and we have to build from every game.
“It was just another step for us to be confident against Newcastle. We know we’re going to face Coventry in the next round.
“We have to go step-by-step, win all the games that we can to build something strong, even for next year. We never know what’s going to happen. We are building something interesting.”
On preparations ahead of Newcastle
“We’re going to try to recover really well because it’s been tough for a lot of players.
“We’ll try to recover and be ready for the next game.”
