After the last friendly in Soria, the Real Zaragoza has already put an end to an intense preseason that has lasted for five weeks. A path of preparation that has left eight friendlies, but, above all, numerous conclusions for Ibai Gómez before the moment of truth arrives. Since next Sunday, at 9:30 p.m. in Tarragona, the real fire will begin in Primera RFEF for a team that will seek to start its attempt to return to professional football on the best foot.
The final balance of friendlies is five wins against Utebo (2-0), Real Sociedad B (2-1), U.D. Logroñés (1-2), Villarreal B (0-2) and Bilbao Athletic (3-1) and three defeats against Barbastro (1-2), Andorra (0-1) and Numancia (2-1). Eight tests in which, beyond the result, Real Zaragoza has been evolving and trying different options and alternatives in order to start the competition in its most optimal state.
In the preparation matches, the white team has scored thirteen goals, distributed among up to ten different players. Pau Sans, who has played as a winger, playmaker and even as a striker, has been the top scorer with three goals, followed by Marcos Cuenca with two. Hugo Pinilla, Jaume Jardí, Peter Ademo, Iker Vadillo, Jaime Tobajas, Emil Hansson, Rubén Díezy have also found the net and Joaquín Delgado who has only been in the Aragonese capital for a few days.
A list that gives a glimpse of one of the most striking aspects of the preseason: the important weight that the academy players have had. Up to ten Deportivo Aragón players have had minutes with the first team, with the latest debuts of Berdejo and Palacio as an example of a youth academy that has responded when Ibai Gómez has needed to complete his call-ups and look for alternatives.
IBAI’S SEAL, STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION
In football, the friendlies have allowed us to see some of the ideas that Ibai Gómez wants to transfer to the team. Dominance of the ball, high pressure, prominence in the opponent’s half and the intention to generate numerous arrivals have been some of the characteristics that have been repeated intermittently during these weeks.
For this reason, the preseason has also made it clear that there are still aspects to improve. On several occasions, the Aragonese team has achieved better results due to its effectiveness than the superiority of its game, especially in some of the victories against Primera RFEF rivals. Therefore, defensive errors and the lack of continuity during certain stretches of the games will be some of the issues that the coaching staff will have to continue polishing.
In this way, the tests are over. After five weeks of training, eight friendlies and a preparation marked by continuous work and the search for an identity, Real Zaragoza will begin this coming Tuesday to prepare for the first league match in Tarragona. So, next Sunday, at 9:30 p.m., the competition will begin and it will be then when everything worked on during this summer will have to be definitively transferred to the pitch.
