FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.10.2009 10:38

Marcelino still searcing for right mix at Zaragoza

Roger Bogunyà

On their return to the top flight this season, Zaragoza have signed up a number of young players, whilst selling off some of their home grown talent. The team's been inconsistent so far and taken just one point away from home.

Most recently promoted teams make staying up their main objective, but with Zaragoza's history they also have to be looking to be in the fight for bigger and better things., though in this first campaign back in La Liga early indications seem to suggest a mid table position will be their most likely aim.

Strengthened team

Marcelino García Toral brought Zaragoza up from the second division at the first attempt and this season he's been able to model the team even more to his own scheme, signing a player for each area -Carrizo, Pablo Amo, Pennant and Uche who are all automatic starters, and selling off players who had been closely identified with the club such as Chus Herrero (Cartagena), Generelo (Elx) o Zapater (Genoa). Marcelino has gone for youth, with just Pablo Amo over 30, and none of his squad has been in the first team for more than 4 years.

Poor away record

It's taking a while for the new team to get though and with just two wins so far this season and just one point taken on the road together with a 4-1 thrashing at the Sanchez Pijuan – Marcelino,who's sent out six different line ups so far, is still looking for the right mix.

The “cas Lafita”

To add to Zaragoza's woes, they have been involved in a legal wrangle with Deportivo over the last minute signing of the midfielder Lafita. The Galician club had asked for 3.5 million euros for the player, whilst Zaragoza reckoned that they were only obliged to pay 2 million. After being unable to play for a month, the LFP finally adjudged that Lafita is a Zaragoza player, though Deportivo have put in a claim to have all games in which he plays declared null and void, something they are likely to do with the game against Barca as Zaragoza attempt to claim their third league victory at the Nou Camp and their firstin 40 years.