Vítor Pereira faces off against Pep Guardiola for the second time in his managerial career this Friday as Wolverhampton visits Manchester City. Their first encounter was a memorable one – a 2011 UEFA Super Cup clash where Pereira’s Porto lost 2-0 to Guardiola’s Barcelona.
A Lesson in Resilience
The Portuguese coach recalls the match fondly, saying it was a “fantastic opportunity” to test his mettle against a dominant force. “We lost, but I remember our display and how we caused the team, considered the best in the world at the time, a lot of trouble,” he said, acknowledging the star-studded Barcelona lineup featuring Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets.
The game, decided by goals from Messi and Fàbregas, marked Pereira’s debut as a head coach. Fast-forward to today, and he’s still taken with the tactical genius of Guardiola. “It’ll be a pleasure to face Pep again,” he said. “He’s a coach who’s left his mark on world football.”
Staying Focused
Despite Wolverhampton’s current six-match winning streak, Pereira remains cautious. “We’re enjoying a good run, but that doesn’t give us a free pass,” he warned. “My players know that. I want us to stick to our identity and be competitive when we take on City.”
The stakes are high, but Pereira’s clear on what’s at stake. “Our season isn’t over yet,” he said. “We want to finish as high up the table as possible.” With that mindset, Wolverhampton is ready to take on the challenge that is Manchester City.