Vitor Pereira’s early success at Wolves wouldn’t have been possible without Joao Gomes and Andre.
The Brazilian duo have gelled at Wolves to become one of the Premier League’s most impressive midfield pivots.
Gomes credits Andre for making him even better, which is praise mirrored by many following the former Fluminense star’s deadline day transfer to Molineux.
Pereira’s style places great emphasis on the quality of Andre and Gomes, who are going from strength to strength in their debut season as club teammates.
What Brazilian media are saying about Joao Gomes and Andre at Wolves
Though it’s the first time that the duo are experiencing being on the same side for their club, it’s not the first time that the Brazilians have crossed paths domestically.
Before moving to England, Andre represented Fluminense in Brazil’s top flight, and Gomes was a player of Flamengo, two extremely fierce rivals.
Andre and Gomes’ relationship now is one of peace and togetherness, but it hasn’t always been that way, which is one topic of praise that the duo have recently received.
After Wolves’ win over Manchester United, Brazilian outlet Ogol drew attention to how ‘oblivious’ Gomes and Andre have become to their past rivalry.
The report notes that while ‘discussion’ online often plays up the Fla–Flu rivalry, Gomes and Andre ‘remain oblivious to everything’, which has made them ‘one of the most praised partnerships in the Premier League’.
In England, Andre and Gomes are praised for their ability to balance attack and defence, and in Brazil, the pivot is praised for its ability to put past feuds aside.
Joao Gomes and Andre’s record as opponents
There are few derbies as big as Fluminense against Flamengo in Brazil, as the Wolves pair know all too well.
Gomes and Andre faced each other five times in the fixture, and one figure has bragging rights, as the former is aware.
In an interview with TNT Sports Brazil, Andre revealed that as Wolves teammates, the duo bet £100 on the match between Fluminense and Flamengo, adding his record in the clashes.
“We bet £100 on the first phase of the Carioca. Then it was a draw. We didn’t bet on this final. I was rooting for Fluminense, but Flamengo deserved the title,” Andre said.
“He says he won more derbies, but during the time I was there, I won more,” he joked.
Andre’s right, he did win more, as Gomes never beat his Wolves partner in a Fla–Flu clash in the five times they met, with his best result being a draw.
Fortunately, the two midfield maestros have put their differences aside to become a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League, something that is impressing those in Brazil.