SWANS: ‘He’s a pressing machine’: Matos hails Yeo’s goals as Salzburg reunion pays off

Vitor Matos says Moussa Yeo is “adapting really well” to the Championship, after the winger scored for the second game running against Norwich.

Yeo’s back-post finish levelled the game in Saturday’s 2-1 comeback win at the Swansea.com Stadium.

He also scored at Lincoln before the international break, and against Burnley in September.

Matos was delighted for him. “I think with the effort pressing, he’s a pressing machine, so I’m really happy for him,” he said.

A Red Bull Salzburg reunion for Moussa Yeo and Vitor Matos

The pair go back. Matos worked with Yeo as an assistant coach at Red Bull Salzburg in 2024, and signed him on a four-year deal in the summer.

The head coach is pleased to see him settle. “He’s a wonderful kid that I knew from before, so I’m really happy that he’s adapting,” he said.

“I’m really happy that he’s enjoying his time at the club and with the team and that we are all taking the best out of him, I think that’s important.”

It is not the first time Matos has praised his work rate. After Yeo scored in the 3-1 win over Burnley, he called him “a pressing monster”.

Joseph Opoku’s ‘wonderful game’ against Norwich

Matos says Yeo is not the only new winger finding his feet. “I think Moussa is adapting really well. Not only him, but Joseph [Opoku] as well. I think Joseph had a wonderful game today. It’s not an easy league to adapt to,” he said.

Opoku’s driving run set up Adam Idah for the best chance of the first half, and his follow-up was blocked on the line after the break.

“You always need a little bit of time, but I think they are having an impact, not only them, but Moussa, of course, with the goals,” Matos said.

More goals from wide areas for the Swans

Matos said goals created from wide areas were “something that we needed to improve”.

Both goals against Norwich came from crosses. Yeo finished Josh Tymon’s ball from the left, and Idah headed in Melker Widell’s deep cross.

“I think we are in a good moment with that. It’s not always easy, especially depending on how the position settles. But I think today we did quite well that part and we arrived on the box with quite danger in different ways and I think that’s important for us,” he said.

The Swans go to Millwall on Tuesday night, before third-placed West Ham United visit the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday.

Author

Richard Bond

Swansea-based sports journalist.
Twitter: @RichBond00
Email: RichardBond@swanseabaynews.com