16.02.2008 11:00
Lots of potential
Jesús Carrillo
Barça’s opponents this evening, Zaragoza, have had a very uneven season so far which has been enough to cost previous coach Víctor Fernández his job. The side is now managed by Jabo Irureta.
Jabo Irureta’s main doubt is whether Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira will be available this
evening. A bout of flu meant that the striker, on loan from Milan, has not been able to train
practically all week. If Oliveira cannot play, Óscar González will partner Diego Milito up front.
Starting XI virtually decided
In Wednesday’s training session Jabo Irureta organised a training match at the
club’s sports complex with what is likely to be the starting line-up for this evening’s
game with Barcelona. In goal will be César. Diogo and JuanFran will be at fullback with Ayala and
Sergio in the centre of the defence. In midfield Zapater might come in at the expense of ex-Barça
player Celades. Gabi and Sergio García will be playing wide, while Diego Milito is a fixture. All
that’s left to decide is whether Oliveira or Óscar González will play alongside him.
Only the League
Zaragoza were one of the most promising sides at the start
of the season. They were in the UEFA Cup and players like Diego Milito, Ayala, Aimar,
D’Alessandro, Matuzalem and Gabi meant that the Romareda faithful were looking forward to a
good campaign. Getting knocked out of the first round of the UEFA Cup, Matuzalem picking up an
injury and training ground bust-ups between D’Alessandro and Aimar made things start to turn
sour. Elimination from the Spanish Cup led to the sacking of Víctor Fernández and the resignation
of Ander Garitano ten days later. The club also decided, in addition to changes in the coaching
staff, to transfer D’Alessandro to an Argentinean side.
UEFA Cup is only goal
Zaragoza are five points off a UEFA Cup spot, and now under Basque coach Jabo Irureta they
know that the best they can hope for come May is to qualify for Europe’s second club
tournament next season.
La Romareda, Zaragoza’s fortress
This season La Romareda is proving an extremely tough nut to crack for visiting sides. So far
Zaragoza have only lost once at home, on matchday eleven when they went down by two goals to three
against Valladolid. They just seem to play a lot better in front of their own fans.
Currently Irureta’s men are in tenth place on 29 points, 23 of which have been picked
up at La Romareda with six victories and five draws which gives them the fifth best home record in
the League.