Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho has told his club’s official website that Leeds United are a “very good team” with “very good players” ahead of Friday’s Premier League clash between the two sides at Molineux.
Moutinho, 35, is expected to start on Friday night against Leeds – which will be the 908th appearance of his professional career for club and country. The 142-time Portugal international is showing no signs of slowing down.
He will come up against a Leeds side that boast enormous energy and with the momentum of a win over Norwich – the first under Jesse Marsch. Wolves come into the game after two wins over Everton and Watford.
But there are weaknesses, with three straight defeats being inflicted on Bruno Lage’s side – ending any chance of a top-four finish as soon as hopes had begun. Moutinho commented on Leeds ahead of Friday’s clash.
“It’s a very difficult game with a very good team, very good players. A new coach, new ideas, they try to put on the game ideas of the new coach, and they already won the last one,” Moutinho said.
“They want to come back like they were last season – a great job. They know they have quality, they try to show it again, but we know they come to win but we play all the games to win.”
Moutinho on Leeds: Wolves star will have to roll back years on Friday
Leeds are renowned for being the club at the top of the charts when it comes to distance covered, sprints and recoveries. But under Marsch, that might calm down a bit – given his change from man marking, to zonal.
So, for a player with more than 900 games under his belt and at the age of 35, Moutinho will have his work cut out. That, or he will use his intelligence and experience to run when needed, and rest when he can.
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