Season Preview: Real Zaragoza

Published on August 4, 2011 by Jamie McGregor · No Comments

In day five of our La Liga preview, Magnus Skjeltrop from rzfans.net tells us about the changes at Real Zaragoza and the prospects for the new season.

After a long and painful season, Zaragoza managed to avoid relegation on the last day of the season. Most people thought that Zaragoza could be fighting for top ten, the bookmakers too. The fans were optimistic of the continuity of Jose Aurelio Gay, who saved the team from relegation the year before. But the season started badly, and got worse. Jose Aurlio Gay was fired and Javier Aguirre took his place, a man with a lot more authority.

Last season was a direct copy of the 2009/2010-season; the manager who saved the team last season failed to succeed, and were replaced by a new manager who saves the team again. The fear of another replay is there, but we have much more faith in Javier Aguirre than we had in Jose Aurelio Gay.

Many changes

If Javier Aguirre managed to save the team from relegation – which he did – he was automatically given another year in the job, if he wanted it himself. The Mexican was interested but he pushed Agapito Iglesias to the limit before he signed the contract. Until now, our president has decided which player is coming in and which player has to leave. Javier Aguirre demanded that he wanted full control over the transfers and how the team was formed. Agapito Iglesias agreed, Javier Aguirre signed, and now we see the changes.

The Mexican coach was clear on a few things; fewer languages in the dressing room and younger players. It’s a shame that Gabi and Ander Herrera haveeft, it’s too bad that Zaragoza couldn’t come to an agreement with Palermo over Nicolas Bertolo and Carlos Diogo would be nice to have on the right side of the defense. But let’s look above that. Marco Perez, Guirane N’Daw, Florent Sinama-Pongolle have ended their loan spells neither of those players were able to make an impact on the team. Jorge Lopez (32) and Jiri Jarosik (33) have left the club, Matteo Contini (31) is likely to leave, and Leo Franco (34) might also leave if Roberto Jimenez signs.

Young signings

All these players are already over the top of their career or have been a total flop while being in the club. Javier Aguirre has really followed his intentions and cleaned up in the squad and the replacements are younger players who speak the same language. Abraham Mineiro (25), Edu Oriol (24), Juan Carlos (21), David Mateos (23) and Efrain Juarez (23) have been signed for the next campaign. In addition, Raul Goni (22) has returned from loan, and Victor Laguardia (21) is finally ready to play football again after being injured for a long period.

It’s also worth mentioning that Roberto Jimenez (25), Pablo Barrera (24) and Jonathan Dos Santos (21) are on their way to the club. The age of the signings and the possible signings are significantly lower than resent years in Zaragoza.

Voluntary bankruptcy

The club also has big problems with the economy and this summer, Zaragoza had to make themselves bankruptcy. The court was on our side (As they have been with all other teams who have gone into voluntary bankruptcy) and our debt was halved. This was necessary to secure the future of the club.

Just as last season, everyone is optimistic about the campaign, about our chances to succeed. I don’t have any expectations for this season, only hope. Our hope is to finish the season, without being a part of the relegation battle.