Real Zaragoza vs Sporting Gijón Match Preview
Both Real Zaragoza and Sporting Gijon are sitting at La Liga's basement and will be looking forward to feed on each other's misery and escape from the murky relegation waters. The Maños occupy the bottom position and will be missing three key players for this game (team's goalkeeper Leo Franco, José Edmilson and Czech international Jiri Jarosik, all of them struggling with injuries)
But the visitors won't have an easy time in the Romareda, for Manuel Preciado will have to do without Roberto Canella and Carmelo Gonzalez. A six pointer for the relegation fight that will have a huge impact on next week's standings.
Zaragoza's coach declared “If we win we will have five points and will go back up a couple of positions. I hope it's the start of a good run”. This will be an unbeatable opportunity for Zaragoza's alternative goalkeeper Antonio Doblas to show his worth: Leo Franco conceded more goals than any other goalkeeper in the last season, though it's remarkable the Blanquillos were only able to obtain points in goalless draws so far.
Sporting's coach is aware he need to introduce some modifications in his scheme. Diego Castro plays a vital role in Rojiblancos' offense, building bridges between the wingers and assisting with the defense when necessary. This time Castro might switch positions, as Gastón Sangoy is likely to make some room for David Barral, a powerful striker "with a heart like a fist" as Preciado said.
Saturday's first match is a must win for both squads, who will claim the three points?
Real Zaragoza vs Sporting Gijón Match Report
Saturday's only draw was one of the most exciting games of the weekend. Ivan Obradovic opened the score in the 32th minute with an own goal. As the second half started Jirik Jarosik was sent off and Diego Castro score for Sporting.
But Florent Sinama had something to say too and in five minutes he froze the visitors with two brilliant goals. Juan Pablo had little to do against Frenchman's furious shots . Zaragoza's recovery show the Maños are not to be taken for granted ever, and Nicolas Bertolo almost gives the Blanquillos the winning goal in the last minutes of the games.
Sporting's players learned an important lesson in la Romareda, and they missed a clear opportunity to escape from the bottom fight. Jose Aurelio Gay recognized the importance of the "Titanic effort" his players realized to bag this point.
The bottom position is still theirs, but they've managed to stop Sporting from climbing higher in the standinds. Now Sporting receives Sevilla's visit next week while the Maños travel to Bilbao to visit Athletic.
