Wolverhampton Wanderers were made to work in their Europa League qualifier against Northern Ireland outfit Crusaders.
Unfancied Crusaders more than held their own against Wolverhampton Wanderers in Thursday’s Europa League qualifier at Molineux.
And, speaking to the News Letter, manager Stephen Baxter has admitted that opposite number Nuno Espirito Santo had some kind words for the plucky Irish outfit after a hard-fought 2-0 win.
Despite finishing seventh in the Premier League last season, Wolves were made to work by the Northern Irish outfit in front of their home supporters. Diogo Jota scored a first-half opener but it was only a stoppage time Ruben Vinagre strike which gives the favourites a clear advantage heading into the second leg.
Crusaders deserve plenty of credit for a performance fill of discipline and grit, something Nuno was keen to point out after the game.
“It’s the best performance for almost 20 years. In the last 20 seconds you don’t want to be conceding another but I’m very proud of the team,” Baxter said.
“When the opposition manager says, ‘bravo, your team were superb tactically’ you have to take that as a compliment.
“To put on a show like that when we could have got hammered, it fills me with a lot of pride.”
Unfortunately for Crusaders, that last-gasp Vinagre strike leaves them with a mountain to climb ahead of what will surely be a testing second leg clash on the plastic Seaview pitch.
But whatever happens over the next 90 minutes, Crusaders can pat themselves on the back, safe in the knowledge that they have done their league and their country proud.
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