Fer Lopez was pleased to have made the difference in Wolves’ pre-season win over Doncaster Rovers having recovered from injury to produce an impressive 45-minute display.
In the Spaniard’s first pre-season match in front of supporters having tweaked his groin during the behind closed doors practice match against Estoril in Portugal saw him return to play a key role in Wolves claiming their second win of the summer.
Lopez got his name on the scoresheet in the closing 10 minutes at the Club Doncaster Sports Village before Tawanda Chirewa netted from the spot moments later to secure another positive result in the early stages of the Cesar Peixoto Wolves era.
On getting 45 minutes into his legs
“I felt good. I wanted to be in the game a little bit more and get more time on the pitch because I only played in the behind closed doors for 60 minutes. It was good with my second match so we could get some minutes in the tank.
“It’s good to get these games before the season starts and having these 45 minutes has been very good.
“We were talking with the coaching staff on whether I’m going to do 35 or 45, but I felt good to do 45 and I think that was very beneficial.”
On high press leading to goals
“He [Peixoto] wants us to press high, but depending how the other team is playing, he wants pressing in a different way or another, it’s not always doing it the same.
“We have to adapt to the team we play against, so that’s all very positive.
“But tonight I think we were the better team, so I knew that if we would press high and if we had a little bit calmer and composure in the final third when we had the ball that the chances would come.”
On getting on the scoresheet
“It was nice, and then he had another one, but he had a shot instead of passing to me! But it was a penalty.
“But no, I think it was a good finish, not the best, because the goalkeeper touched it, so I nearly missed, but it was good that it went in.
“It’s really good for Tawanda to get the second goal. Totally. He’s a very good guy, he works very hard, and I’m very happy for him – that’s why everyone left the penalty for him.”
Fer Lopez on getting more minutes in the legs and his name on the scoresheet 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/3yu4wTpndG
— Wolves (@Wolves) July 30, 2026
On preparing for the new season
“The pre-season has been very tough, especially physically, but that’s what we need to do. We need to be very fit and although some players have minor injuries, we come back, and we’re good.
“We’re very happy that we are very fit, and we want to play as many games as possible before the season starts. Only one game left now, so we have to try to win it.”
On facing Spanish opposition this weekend
“I’m looking forward to playing at Molineux again, totally, and against a Spanish team as well. I didn’t play against them [Racing Santander] last year, because they got promoted, but it’s always good to play.
“I know that they play very good football, very attacking, with a lot of combinations, but I cannot tell you a lot more because I didn’t play against them last season, but they are very, very good team, and we will see how we do this weekend.”
