The Wolves paid tribute to former player Dio Gojota, who died in a car accident with his brothers in July ahead of the first match of the new Premier League season against Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola was visibly emotional as he paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota prior to the wolf clash with Manchester City. Jota, 28, died tragically in a car accident in July along with his younger brother Andre Silva.
The Portuguese forward spent three years with the wolves before moving to Liverpool in 2020. Saturday’s fixture was his first competitive match since his pass, with the wolves marking the opportunity before kickoff.
The inside of Molineux took part in a one minute of applause, which means Jota’s TIFO grew up on the South Bank. The camera panned to Guardiola, the City boss, who was clearly moved when he stood and was praised along with the team of coaching staff.
Attended were Portuguese manager Roberto Martinez and former wolf star Reuben Neves. Jota’s wife, Root Cardoso and his three children, were in Anfield on Friday.
The Wolves hosted City to advance the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, and thus created a special 100-page commemorative program for the game. In the 18th minute, both fans were praised for 60 seconds, marking the shirt number Jota had worn for the wolf.
read more: Liverpool’s inspiring gesture to Dio Gojota in Anfield’s dressing roomread more: Emotional Federico Chiesa thank Diogo Jota for “helping” for his important Liverpool goal
The wolves held Guardiola’s side at bay for the first 34 minutes before the hosts suddenly went down 2-0 with a break. Erling Haaland broke the deadlock in the 34th minute of a new signature signing Tijjani Rejnders, who created the opener, and doubled City’s lead three minutes later with the club’s first goal.
The impressive pre-match TIFO was created by Old Gold Pack, a wolf supporter group that has raised funds over the past month. Co-founder Kieran Newey commented:
“Football fans come together like this and really show the true love of players and soccer clubs. We donated from football fans, especially wolves fans.
“We wanted to show his family and everyone who loved him, exactly what he meant to us. It’s going to be emotional for everyone who sees at the stadium and at home, but we believe we’ll do that right.”
Wolf Chairman Jeff Sea said of Jota:
“As a top player, you need to ask your teammates to do well. He wasn’t a player on the pitch to scream, but you could always see what he wanted from you.
“He was smart, intelligent and very decisive in his actions. He was very clear about what he wanted to do, so I feel he could be a very good CEO or entrepreneur in the future.
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