Joao Virginia highlights importance of Wolves competition for places

Wolves goalkeeper Joao Virginia believes competition for places will be crucial to driving the team towards their objectives this season.

Boss Cesar Peixoto rang the changes for Wolves’ EFL Cup defeat at Everton, making nine in total as he gave players valuable minutes with Sunday’s Black Country derby in mind.

Among those to start and make their debut was goalkeeper Virginia, who produced an outstanding performance in goal before being beaten late on by Charly Alcaraz.

And the 26-year-old hailed the importance of the battle for places within Peixoto’s squad.

“It’s so important and the manager’s keen on speaking about that,” he said.

“He wants everyone to be ready to play every game, and that’s what we have to do.

“That’s how the group needs to be ready, every single one of us out there today showed they deserve to play, so they’re making it hard for the coach to choose.

“This is what will drive the team forward into the season, towards our objectives.”

Virginia made several brilliant stops to keep Everton at bay throughout the cup clash, including an incredible reaction save to deny striker Thierno Barry from close range.

But he was eventually beaten by Alcaraz’s 80th-minute strike as Wolves crashed out of the cup competition.

It marked Virginia’s first appearance since his summer move to Molineux from Sporting Lisbon.

“It was a good game from the team,” he said. “We fought until the end, it was a tough opponent, we knew that from the start. On a personal note to be back here, to play and to have the game I did, I’m buzzing.

“I did what I could. Unfortunately, they managed to score towards the end of the game, but I was really happy with the way the lads fought, and maybe on another day we could have pinched a victory.”

On his spectacular save to deny Barry, Virginia added: “It was instinct.

“I knew it was a good cross so I couldn’t come out, so my hands were ready for the header. It was just a reaction.”

Virginia faced his former club Everton, whom he left last year before joining Sporting as a free agent.

The Portuguese goalkeeper has been settling into life under fellow countryman Peixoto and adapting to his new team’s style of play.

“You need to adapt,” Virginia said. “I spoke with Cesar and I knew the style he used to play in Portugal, because I knew his teams from before.

“I pretty much adapted to the style of play and the boys. I played with Toti and I knew him from a long time ago.”