Wolverhampton Wanderers weren’t at their best as they drew 1-1 with a 10-man Olympiacos side on Thursday, but Pedro Neto was one player to come away with credit for his performance. The 20-year-old equalised for Wolves to bag a vital away goal and send Wolves back to Molineux with a big chance of reaching the Europa League Quarter-Finals.
Neto was a second-half substitute and made the most telling impact at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. After Youssef El-Arabi put Olympiacos ahead with a tap-in following Guilherme’s cut back, Neto pegged them back just over 10 minutes later with a deflected effort from distance after Joao Moutinho teed him up with a free-kick – just reward for his overall showing.
Pedro Neto’s game by numbers vs. Olympiakos:
88% pass accuracy
11 final third passes
2 shots (2 on target)
1 big chance created
1 through ball
1 tackle
1 goalImpressive impact from the 20 year-old. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JIeOjwnRiu
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 12, 2020
Pedro Neto…. him and Jota the only bright sparks, he deserved that goal #wwfc
— Ian Kettle (@ian_kettle) March 12, 2020
Big deflection but delighted for Neto. He's offered spark since coming on. Wolves looking better with him and Jota getting touches in close proximity. #WWFC
— Alex Richards (@AA_Richards) March 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/WeAreWolves_com/status/1238224174138773506?s=20
He’s so dynamic, every time he gets the ball he’s positive and I genuinely believe he’ll do something special 👊🏻
— OldGold80 (@OGold80) March 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/JonesTeulu/status/1238214798757814278?s=20
Dreadful game. Grew into it but lacked any kind of rhythm or imagination throughout. Disappointing against 10 men but got the vital away goal. Fancy us at home. Neto lively, Vinagre poor for the third game in a row. When's Johnny back!? #wwfc
— Zackary Haynes (@zhaynes93) March 12, 2020
How far will Wolves go in the Europa League?
Final
Semi-final
Quarter-final
No further than the round of 16
Against Olympiacos, Neto played for 45 minutes, had 33 touches, created one chance, completed 87.5% of his 24 passes, had two shots which both hit the target, whipped in two crosses and gave away two fouls. It was the 20-year-old’s first Europa League goal since August 2019 and his first in any competition for two months.
Neto has contributed nine goals in 36 appearances this season. He’s behind Diogo Jota and Adama Traore in the pecking order but may have given Nuno Espirito Santo food for thought after impressing against Olympiacos.
Said all along ,Netto class player and played well last night made one chance and scored our vital goal ,going to be a great player for our club ,why he was not brought on against Brighton last week baffled me .
Think our team still had a great result last night with our away goal but we seam to be letting sides of the hook with our displays in final third not creating enough when we are playing against sides who defend, but in NUNO we trust he will get it right.