Wolves 1 Slovan Bratislava 0: Jimenez prays as he nets winner moments after knocking Bajric unconscious
RAUL JIMENEZ prayed for stricken Slovan Bratislava defender Kenan Bajric – after his stoppage time winner left Wolves on the brink of the knock-out stages of the Europa League.
The Mexican striker was at the centre of another sickening football injury at Molineux when his stray boot knocked Bajric out cold, during last night’s Group K clash.
The brave Bratislava defender suffered a sickening thud to his head as Jimenez’s boot made contact during an attempted bicycle kick, causing Bajric to drop to the turf like a stone.
As he lay unconscious there were real fears for his well-being and it appeared the stricken Slovan player was in danger of choking on his tongue.
His frantic teammates, with Jimenez in attendance, swiftly rolled him on to his side in the recovery position and thankfully, after an 11 minute delay, Baric was stretchered off with his neck in a protective brace
Two minutes into 12 minutes of injury time, Jimenez struck when he powered a deflected Adama Traore cross beyond ‘keeper Dominik Greif to give Wolves a late win.
But his first thoughts afterwards were for Bajric and the worried Wolves striker told BT Sport: "It is difficult for all of us. I don't know what to say. I hope he recovers well.”
Unlike Son Heung-Min on Sunday, Jimenez was able to continue but after scoring his winner, he clasped his hands together in prayer for the opponent who suffered a serious head injury and was detained overnight in hospital.
Bratislava boss Jan Kozak revealed: “At the moment Kenan has a head injury and it is quite serious. He will be staying here overnight for observation.
“One of the home players kicked him in the head. He was unconscious. It is a head injury. He is conscious but we don’t have more information at the moment.
“However he is staying here overnight to be observed.”
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: “I spoke with them and I hope it is not serious. When it is a kick in the head all care should be taken.”
Bajric received warm applause as he was stretchered to a waiting ambulance.
To Jimenez’s credit he recovered his composure to grab his late winner.
"It is a very important win for us and our aspirations. It is all about my team-mates. We all did very well and here we are with three points and almost in the next round.”
Until then, it looked as of all Wolves’ best work would end in Greif – as Bratislava goalie Dom Greif defied them.
He even kept out a second half spot kick by Ruben Neves, shortly after the break.
Surprisingly, Jimenez who had beaten Greif from the spot in Bratislava, turned his back on the pen and handed the responsibility over to Neves after Slovan skipper Vasil Bozhikov trod on the back of Pedro Neto’s right heel, right on the 18 yard line to send the Wolves forward tumbling.
Neves stepped forward but was denied by Greif, who hurled himself to his right to claw away the Portuguese midfielder’s effort.
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Jimenez: "It was Ruben’s turn. It doesn't matter if he misses, he will have another opportunity in another match and score."
However Nuno was less impressed and said: “Ruben has to improve. His kick was very bad… so bad.
“You have to give credit to the goalkeeper but it's the perfect spot to stop it: medium high and slow. He has to practice tomorrow - a lot!”