Wolves loanee Hugo Bueno earned more rave reviews on the Champions League stage for Feyenoord in Tuesday night’s win over AC Milan.
It’s been a highly productive loan spell for the Spaniard, who has made 22 appearances in all competitions for Feyenoord, including seven in the Champions League.
Having rarely featured in Gary O’Neil’s plans at Wolves last term, Hugo Bueno is building momentum under the guidance of manager Brian Priske.
The 22-year-old has predominantly flourished as a left-back, with even Spanish giants Barcelona showing an interest in Bueno.
On Tuesday night, the talented youngster was even used in a midfield role for Feyenoord as they qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League.
How the Dutch media rated Hugo Bueno’s performance vs AC Milan
Bueno has flourished in the Champions League for the Dutch side this term and under the pressure of expectation, the Wolves loanee didn’t falter but rose to the occasion instead.
Feyenoord went into their second-leg tie against Milan with a 1-0 buffer however, this was closed out in the first minute thanks to a Santiago Gimenez strike.
Fortunately, Theo Hernandez being shown a second yellow card for simulation handed Feyenoord the initiative to grab the winner, doing so through substitute Julian Carranza.
He got on the end of Bueno’s delicious cross, planting a fine header past Mike Maignan to book their place in the last 16.
The Dutch media unsurprisingly had a lot to say after Feyenoord’s shock win over the Italian giants, with Voetbal Primeur rating Bueno a 7/10 and writing: “A night with two faces for Bueno, who had to master a new midfield role in Milan. After a poor first half, he straightened his back after halftime and gave the Spaniard a perfect assist.
Meanwhile, Voetbal Zone handed him a 7/10 for his efforts while Voetbal Flitsen gave him an 8/10, on what was a wonderful night for Bueno and his teammates.
Hugo Bueno’s stats vs AC Milan
- 75 minutes played
- 24/27 accurate passes (89%)
- 2 key passes
- 3 accurate crosses
- 1 big chance created
- 4 ground duels won
- 2 interceptions
Bueno was a number 10 when Wolves signed him
Bueno may have starred in a central midfield role for Feyenoord on Tuesday night however, some may not know that the Spaniard arrived at Wolves as a number 10 before transitioning into a left-back.
Speaking in 2022, former caretaker manager Steve Davis said of Bueno (Wolves official): “Hugo came in as a skinny number 10 or a winger really, a lefty, skilful.
“I guess it was a bit of a calculated gamble by us as he wasn’t going to cost us much, but the question was whether we could make him into the player we felt he had the potential to be.
“Once he came into the group, he played a few games during his trial in the 10 and wing positions. He used to sit down looking at the referee a lot. Every time he got fouled, he would go down and gesture to the referee, because he struggled physically with the game over here.”
Bueno has developed and matured into an excellent footballer since those comments and perhaps a can play a huge part for Wolves next season.