What in gods name have i just read?Granada vs Real Zaragoza
26th Jan 2036
Another must-win game for both teams as Zaragoza fight for promotion and Granada fight for safety. Toni Galindo was serving a match suspension and was replaced at right back for Emilio Alvarez. Jose Zubillaga was given a start in attack Zubillaga came close to getting his first goal since returning from injury when Richard Alonso done well to get down the right side and crossed for the near post and Zubillaga's header was a whisker wide of the post. Richard Donkor went down on 16 minutes with a hamstring injury so Ioseba Flano came on for him. Granada got the ball forward on 32 minutes with Abad picking it up inside his own half, his initial cross was headed away by Ormad and Sidibe done well to retrieve it and lay it off for Abad who lashed it into the top right corner giving Granada a surprising lead. The attacking football didn't stop from Zaragoza who despite being a goal down were still well on top. Granada were defending with their lives to hang on but with 30 minutes to go the onslaught on goal was too much and eventually the loose ball fell to Zubillaga in the box who knocked it on for Flano to curl into the top right corner, 1-1! Time was running out for Zaragoza in a match they should be winning to keep the pressure on. It was a frustrating end to the match as Granada held on to secure a point in their bid for survival but a point at the top just isn't good enough.
DF: It's the second time we've played Granada and it's a second draw. I give them credit yet again, they were solid in all areas of the pitch and really made it hard for our players to put two passes together.
Have you identified parts of the team where you need to strengthen? The window closes in less than a week.
DF: I'm happy with the squad I've got, we have enough players and quality in the right areas. Bringing somebody in now will not benefit us.
Finally, what do you make of Gus Poyet's comments about going with three up top?
DF: That's why he's had a successful management career isn't it? I respect him as a player but how I field my team is up to me and my staff. If I'm wrong come the end of the season, I'll be the first to admit it.
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JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW
There were no incomings in the window but three players went out on loan. Iban Garmendia who hasn't been registered in the first team squad joined Elche on loan until the end of the season. Paco Sanchez went to Guijuelo and Andrew Ledson was unhappy with his amount of first team football so he joined Albacete to help them escape relegation.
Numantia vs Real Zaragoza
3rd February 2036
There was good news for Zaragoza when Juan Perez retracted his transfer request confirming he wanted to stay at the club. Damiano Manzella and Israel Silva were close to full fitness but this match was too soon for them. Villarreal had drew 0-0 with Lugo in the day's early kick-off and Zaragoza had a chance to capitalise. Eibar still led the table but only two points separated them and Los Blanquillos. Romero done well in the tackle and passed to Ormad who sent it long for Zubillaga to chase down the left, he tried to cross for Alonso but it was cut out, Juan picked it up and had space to take the shot and what a strike it was into the top left corner! The lead didn't last long and three minutes later Galindo was caught napping when Andres left him at the post and he tapped in the cross from Farre. Farre looked a player and was capturing the eye when he took the ball forward and from range struck it into the top left corner giving Numantia a 2-1 lead a few minutes later. Richard Donkor was twice denied by the keeper, his first shot was destined for the top corner but the keeper pulled out a great save out of nowhere and his second shot almost found the bottom corner and the keeper saved brilliantly again. Zubillaga took the ball forward but he was surrounded by four players, he passed to Abadias and he found Juan arriving to the box in space, he held it well and laid it off for the run of Galindo inside the box and he slotted to equalise! Juan was playing very well and he played a nice ball to Abadias who cheekily chipped it over the defence to get him goal side and he finished to make it 3-2 on 58 minutes! Zaragoza turn the match around! Just as things were going well for Zaragoza, Numantia went route one and Andres tried his luck from 25 yards with a low drive and it beat Martinez to make it 3-3 with two minutes to go! It's a massive two points dropped in the title race with Eibar losing 2-0 to Cadiz. Ferguson will be kicking himself tonight after losing so late on.
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Real Zaragoza vs Villarreal
9th February 2036
Damiano Manzella suffered a setback and was ruled out for another four weeks after turning in training. The right back has not played football since September and was hoping to be part of the team to take on fellow rivals Villarreal. Chus Abadias was also ruled out for a month after twisting his ankle in training. The first half was quiet with little action and was not the blockbuster many had anticipated. Romero misplaced his pass and it allowed Villarreal to break, Jacobo knocked it on for his partner Bueso and he slotted past Martinez to give Villarreal what could be the winner with ten minutes to go. Alvarado was on a second half sub for Zubillaga and his shot on 82 minutes saw the keeper tip it over the bar. It's the first defeat in 13 for Zaragoza as Villarreal go top of the table for the time being.
DF: I changed the tactics to be more expansive and we got caught out and conceded. I can't say anymore than that, the defeat is on me.
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Real Zaragoza vs Girona
17th February 2036
Israel Silva returned from injury and was named on the bench this afternoon. Zaragoza got off to a good start and peppered the goal early on but the keeper done well to keep them out. Alonso was a constant threat down the right and found space easily, he kept the ball alive from Donkor's overhit free-kick ino the box, made space for a pass to Romero and he set-up Cobos who hit it on his weaker right foot past the keeper to give the home side the lead on 22 minutes! Zaragoza kept their position when not in possession which Girona struggled against, second balls were mostly won by Zaragoza and seemed a step above their opposition. Richard Donkor stunk the ground out and was replaced on 65 minutes for the return of Israel Silva who played part of a midfield three as the match went on with Ferguson opting for a 1-0 win. Girona couldn't beat the defence and it was Zaragoza who ran out worthy winners in this one.
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Athletico Madrid B vs Real Zaragoza
24th February 2036
Javi had picked up an injury and was unavailable for selection. Zaragoza also had Ormad and Juan serving a one match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards. It brought joy to two Zaragoza supporters who came through the academy and had their dreams come true when they were named on the subs bench. 16 year old Agustin Noya and 17 year old Hector Pujolar made the trip to Madrid. It was a tightly fought contest in the first half, Carlos Romero picked up his tenth booking of the season which means he misses the next match against Lugo. Athletico moved the ball around in style which made Zaragoza nervous, Emilio Alvarez left his leg out and brought down Rodriguez conceding a dangerous free-kick. Jorge played it short to Rodriguez and under no pressure curled the ball home into the bottom corner to give Athletico the lead on 53 minutes. Cobos was dispossessed on 62 minutes and Rodriguez ran forward with the ball, he played it to Arques in space and he found Mena just inside the box who drilled it low to make it 2-0. It was game, set and match just six minutes later when Rodriguez ducked from the goal kick which deceived Romero, Mena picked it up and played it left to Marqueta who placed it into the top right corner whilst the Zaragoza players stood around watching. A pathetic goal to concede and far too easy for Athletico. It was a heavy defeat for Zaragoza in a game where they looked like they had ran out of ideas.
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