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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Zaragoza had the chance to draw level on points with Alcorcon today and with Lugo losing yesterday, they can extend their lead over them by seven points. Xavier Alvarado started the match with Jose Zubillaga in a bit of a poor run of form lately. It was a game of few chances and the best one came on 50 minutes when Javi headed inches wide from Cobos' corner. On 72 minutes Alcorcon took the corner but it was played to the edge of the box, with little options Fernandez knocked the ball to Moreno and his stuttered shot found a way through and beat Igor Martinez. Three minutes later Alvarado picked up the ball and looked to start a counter attack, he passed left to Cobos and his long ball forward was brought down beautifully by Alonso and he only had the keeper to beat, 1-1! His tenth of the season! But it was short-lived and Javi's poor clearance allowed Girard to find the shot in acres of space which left Martinez stranded to the spot, 2-1 to the visitors. Israel Silva played it right to Galindo a minute later, he crossed into the box and found the arrival of Cobos who smashed it home to level once again! Late drama here in Zaragoza! Is there to be a winner? Martinez claimed the ball from a long ball forward and punted it forward but it went back to the keeper. He played it out for Rodriguez who won the header and got it to Ramos, Ramos got near the edge of the box and laid it on for Seck who drilled it low to make it 3-2! What a last ten minutes we have had at La Romareda and it's victory for Alcorcon this afternoon!
DF: I thought we done well to get it back to 2-2 but defensively we let ourselves down. Too many errors are costing us and it has been the downfall to our season. We had additional work on the training pitch this week focusing on set-pieces but we are not doing enough to get the ball out of danger. We need to stop leaking goals.
PLAYER RATINGS
Getafe vs Real Zaragoza
11th May 2036
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It was a goalkeeping change for Zaragoza as Igor Martinez was dropped for 19 year old Chus. Zaragoza got off to a dream start when Abadias crossed from the left and Alonso picked up on the headed clearance taking it down on his chest before smashing it into the top left corner! What a wonderful goal! It was a much better performance from Zaragoza but Getafe had their chances inside the first half, defensively Zaragoza were excellent and Chus rarely had a save to make. On 33 minutes Pepe went in hard on Alvarado and picked up his second yellow card reducing Getafe to ten men. Galindo passed it to Donkor on the stroke of half-time and he set up Abadias who took the shot on his right foot drilling it low into the bottom right corner! Excellent finishing on display from Zaragoza! Zubillaga was on for the last half an hour replacing Alvarado. Galindo played it wide to Alvarez and his pinpoint cross for Zubillaga was excellent as he powered in the header claiming his 14th of the season! An excellent away performance from Los Blanquillos! Zaragoza dispatch of Getafe quite easily today and keep their play-off hopes alive.
DF: I couldn't ask for a better away performance. We've won 9 of our 19 away games and we seem to play so well away from home. It's our home form that is the concern, we need to start picking up three points at home too. If we can play like this in our remaining games, I can see us taking all the points.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Zaragoza vs Racing Santander
17th May 2036
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It's a big game at both ends of the table, Zaragoza looking to consolidate their play-off hopes and Santander sitting one point above the drop zone. Both teams with everything to play for. Duncan Ferguson named an unchanged team for the visit of Santander. The defenders couldn't stop Richard Alonso going past them as he beat three and crossed low for Alvarado but his shot was saved, it bounced up and he headed it over the goal line to make it 1-0 on 3 minutes! Perez played the ball forward to Alonso who turned quickly and ran forward at speed, he beat three players, got inside the box and smashed it home to make it 2-0! What an incredible goal and his 12th of the season! It was a star performance from Alonso as on 8 minutes his game came to an end as he pulled up with a hamstring injury. What a fantastic 8 minutes it was, one assist and a goal. Cobos replaced him. Perez put in a good tackle on the edge of the box but the ball ran loose for Lledo to place past Chus to pull a goal back for Santander. Emilio Alvarez was the second player to go down with injury and was replaced by Ormad just before the interval. Ferguson switched Abadias to the right and Cobos to the left for the second half. Donkor made a nice pass forward to Abadias putting him in a good position on the byline, he cut the ball back for Carlos Romero to slot and make it 3-1 with 30 minutes to go! Abadias played the ball forward and Cobos took it down well and got past his marker but was dragged down by Marticorena inside the box, penalty given! With Zubillaga and Alonso not on the field, it was Alvarado with his first spot kick. The 19 year old tucked it away casually into the bottom right getting his second of the match! Carlos Romero was given a standing ovation as he was replaced by Eugenio Alvarez with 20 minutes to go. It's another fine display from Zaragoza, they were excellent at the back and were clinical in front of goal!
DF: Alonso is fine, he will be ready for next week but Alvarez is going to absent for a couple of weeks with a quadricep injury. We have three games to go until the end of the season starting with Real Madrid B team next weekend. We'll be keeping an eye on Lugo's results as well but will make sure we do our job foremost.
Zaragoza had the chance to draw level on points with Alcorcon today and with Lugo losing yesterday, they can extend their lead over them by seven points. Xavier Alvarado started the match with Jose Zubillaga in a bit of a poor run of form lately. It was a game of few chances and the best one came on 50 minutes when Javi headed inches wide from Cobos' corner. On 72 minutes Alcorcon took the corner but it was played to the edge of the box, with little options Fernandez knocked the ball to Moreno and his stuttered shot found a way through and beat Igor Martinez. Three minutes later Alvarado picked up the ball and looked to start a counter attack, he passed left to Cobos and his long ball forward was brought down beautifully by Alonso and he only had the keeper to beat, 1-1! His tenth of the season! But it was short-lived and Javi's poor clearance allowed Girard to find the shot in acres of space which left Martinez stranded to the spot, 2-1 to the visitors. Israel Silva played it right to Galindo a minute later, he crossed into the box and found the arrival of Cobos who smashed it home to level once again! Late drama here in Zaragoza! Is there to be a winner? Martinez claimed the ball from a long ball forward and punted it forward but it went back to the keeper. He played it out for Rodriguez who won the header and got it to Ramos, Ramos got near the edge of the box and laid it on for Seck who drilled it low to make it 3-2! What a last ten minutes we have had at La Romareda and it's victory for Alcorcon this afternoon!
DF: I thought we done well to get it back to 2-2 but defensively we let ourselves down. Too many errors are costing us and it has been the downfall to our season. We had additional work on the training pitch this week focusing on set-pieces but we are not doing enough to get the ball out of danger. We need to stop leaking goals.
It was a goalkeeping change for Zaragoza as Igor Martinez was dropped for 19 year old Chus. Zaragoza got off to a dream start when Abadias crossed from the left and Alonso picked up on the headed clearance taking it down on his chest before smashing it into the top left corner! What a wonderful goal! It was a much better performance from Zaragoza but Getafe had their chances inside the first half, defensively Zaragoza were excellent and Chus rarely had a save to make. On 33 minutes Pepe went in hard on Alvarado and picked up his second yellow card reducing Getafe to ten men. Galindo passed it to Donkor on the stroke of half-time and he set up Abadias who took the shot on his right foot drilling it low into the bottom right corner! Excellent finishing on display from Zaragoza! Zubillaga was on for the last half an hour replacing Alvarado. Galindo played it wide to Alvarez and his pinpoint cross for Zubillaga was excellent as he powered in the header claiming his 14th of the season! An excellent away performance from Los Blanquillos! Zaragoza dispatch of Getafe quite easily today and keep their play-off hopes alive.
DF: I couldn't ask for a better away performance. We've won 9 of our 19 away games and we seem to play so well away from home. It's our home form that is the concern, we need to start picking up three points at home too. If we can play like this in our remaining games, I can see us taking all the points.
It's a big game at both ends of the table, Zaragoza looking to consolidate their play-off hopes and Santander sitting one point above the drop zone. Both teams with everything to play for. Duncan Ferguson named an unchanged team for the visit of Santander. The defenders couldn't stop Richard Alonso going past them as he beat three and crossed low for Alvarado but his shot was saved, it bounced up and he headed it over the goal line to make it 1-0 on 3 minutes! Perez played the ball forward to Alonso who turned quickly and ran forward at speed, he beat three players, got inside the box and smashed it home to make it 2-0! What an incredible goal and his 12th of the season! It was a star performance from Alonso as on 8 minutes his game came to an end as he pulled up with a hamstring injury. What a fantastic 8 minutes it was, one assist and a goal. Cobos replaced him. Perez put in a good tackle on the edge of the box but the ball ran loose for Lledo to place past Chus to pull a goal back for Santander. Emilio Alvarez was the second player to go down with injury and was replaced by Ormad just before the interval. Ferguson switched Abadias to the right and Cobos to the left for the second half. Donkor made a nice pass forward to Abadias putting him in a good position on the byline, he cut the ball back for Carlos Romero to slot and make it 3-1 with 30 minutes to go! Abadias played the ball forward and Cobos took it down well and got past his marker but was dragged down by Marticorena inside the box, penalty given! With Zubillaga and Alonso not on the field, it was Alvarado with his first spot kick. The 19 year old tucked it away casually into the bottom right getting his second of the match! Carlos Romero was given a standing ovation as he was replaced by Eugenio Alvarez with 20 minutes to go. It's another fine display from Zaragoza, they were excellent at the back and were clinical in front of goal!
DF: Alonso is fine, he will be ready for next week but Alvarez is going to absent for a couple of weeks with a quadricep injury. We have three games to go until the end of the season starting with Real Madrid B team next weekend. We'll be keeping an eye on Lugo's results as well but will make sure we do our job foremost.
A win today could secure a play-off place for Real Zaragoza regardless of the result between Lugo and Racing Santander. Zaragoza go into the match six points clear with three games remaining. Toni Galindo got forward on 26 minutes down the right and he sailed the ball into the box for Donkor to head but he put it over the bar. Real Madrid controlled possession in the first half but proved to be little threat to the Zaragoza defence. Cobos played the ball inside to Juan and he passed forward To Alonso who quickly turned and beat his man to unleash a shot into the left corner on 38 minutes, 1-0! Richard Donkor had the chance to make it 2-0 in the second half but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper. Carlos Romero had to go off with 13 minutes to go and it would be a big loss if he was ruled out for the remainder of the season. Hector Ormad came into midfield as his replacement. Francisco Gomez showed great bravery with an excellent challenge on Iribar at the post to stop him from getting his shot away. A late chance came for Zaragoza when Gomez crossed towards the back post and Alonso headed towards goal and Alvarado was a yard away from getting his foot to it. The Zaragoza defence were on top of their game and recorded a third consecutive win!
A win today could secure a play-off place for Real Zaragoza regardless of the result between Lugo and Racing Santander. Zaragoza go into the match six points clear with three games remaining. Toni Galindo got forward on 26 minutes down the right and he sailed the ball into the box for Donkor to head but he put it over the bar. Real Madrid controlled possession in the first half but proved to be little threat to the Zaragoza defence. Cobos played the ball inside to Juan and he passed forward To Alonso who quickly turned and beat his man to unleash a shot into the left corner on 38 minutes, 1-0! Richard Donkor had the chance to make it 2-0 in the second half but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper. Carlos Romero had to go off with 13 minutes to go and it would be a big loss if he was ruled out for the remainder of the season. Hector Ormad came into midfield as his replacement. Francisco Gomez showed great bravery with an excellent challenge on Iribar at the post to stop him from getting his shot away. A late chance came for Zaragoza when Gomez crossed towards the back post and Alonso headed towards goal and Alvarado was a yard away from getting his foot to it. The Zaragoza defence were on top of their game and recorded a third consecutive win!
The penultimate game of the season and with Zaragoza's play-off place confirmed they can aim to finish higher up the table with a strong finish to the season. Zaragoza were rocked with the news of injury to two key players; Carlos Romero and Juan Carlos Perez. It was a chance for Hector Ormad and Marco Cabarcos to come in and keep Zaragoza in their fine run of current form. It was a nervy start from Zaragoza and the defence took time to find their feet. Cabarcos settled in next to Javi and Galindo was playing well at right back. Ferguson stated before the match that it's about keeping the momentum going into the play-offs and will continue to field the strongest side possible. Alberto Ruiz got in too easily down the left and got a cross into the box for Feminias to scissor kick past Chus and make it 1-0. Femenias took the corner a few minutes later and the flick on from Ruiz to Sicart found its way into the net to double Gijon's lead. Richard Donkor never made it back out for the second half and was replaced by Zubillaga in a bid to salvage the game. Ruiz was proving hard to play against and when the ball came into the box, Cabarcos pushed him down resulting in a penalty to be given. Ricardo placed his kick down the middle and put the game out of sight making it 3-0. Alonso done well getting down the right side and his pass was sublime for Cobos but he struck the post in Zaragoza's best effort yet. Juan was getting stuck in late in the game and won the ball back well for Zaragoza, Ormad picked it up and searched out Alonso on the right and he threaded a nice ball through into the box for Zubillaga who squared it for Alvarado and he buried it to claw a goal back with 11 minutes to go. It got worse for Zaragoza when Juan had to go off injured on 90 minutes. The extent of the injury unknown but it couldn't have come at a worse time.
DF: We fell apart in the space of about three minutes and the game was gone. I'm concerned about the play-offs considering we have got a few injuries to players, Romero, Juan and Perez are going to be out for the next 3 weeks. If we needed a bit of luck, it's now. I've just heard Ledson is injured now too, he's due to return back to us and would have been useful at the play-off stage.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Zaragoza vs Cadiz
8th June 2036
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It was the last league match of the season and Ferguson brought in Alvarez and Manzella in the full back positions. Ormad and Silva formed an unlikely partnership in midfield. It was far too easy for Cadiz on 8 minutes, the ball over the defence from Garcia to Bengoetxea to finish was executed perfectly and the defence stood still. Chus played the ball out to Cabarcos on 28 minutes and his kick forward was won by Cadiz, Tirado took the ball down the left and a sublime ball into the box for Bengoetxea to volley in his second made it 2-0. A few minutes later it was made worse for Zaragoza and Idowu delivered into the box for Blanco to smash into the back of the net. Ferguson made an instant change and Cabarcos was replaced by Navarro, Cabarcos got in the face of Ferguson on the line and the manager completely ignored him. The second half started better for Zaragoza, Alvarado was replaced by Zubillaga with 35 minutes to go and they were getting forward more. Cadiz made it difficult for Zaragoza and they got forward on the counter, Garcia's low pass into the box deflected off Navarro and Idowu slotted in the fourth. Flano played in Zubillaga on 74 minutes and his shot was parried by the keeper. The fans began to leave the stadium, it was too much for them to watch. The whistle is blown in an empty stadium as Zaragoza fall to an embarrassing defeat.
DF: It's a terrible way to end the season. We should be celebrating the play-offs with our supporters but we let them down with an awful defeat. We find out who we play in a few days time and we need to be ready mentally. It is going to be tough, we are up against tough opponents. I need 110% from everyone going into the biggest matches of their playing careers.
