Europa, a team from Barcelona’s Gracia neighborhood, must play at Can Dragó, away from its traditional Nou Cerdanya ground. This venue cannot be converted into a natural-grass field for logistical reasons, so the club has adopted a ground outside its district, in Nou Barris, as its home. This is where Real Zaragoza must win.
Real Zaragoza during a training session at the Ciudad Deportiva. Photo: Pilar Álvarez
The ground has barely 3,000 seats, all of them in temporary stands. In addition, there is an athletics track between the stands and the pitch. A capacity crowd is therefore entirely normal, but it will not feel like a traditional neighborhood ground. This benefits Real Zaragoza.
Above all, it will be about adapting to a different venue. Given their squad and league position, as Real Zaragoza coach Ibai Gómez has already acknowledged, they are the favorites. There is no doubt about that, but they must prove it by scoring at least one more goal than their opponents.
ABSENCES
Real Zaragoza go into Friday’s match with three absences. Ibai will not be able to call on Escudero or Vadillo because of physical problems, although both are expected to return next week. Ademo, meanwhile, will not travel to Barcelona after being sent off for two yellow cards against Real Murcia.
It is therefore necessary to rebuild the midfield, and Real Zaragoza are expected to change their system to do so. Ander Herrera is in line to start after Ibai said he will play, while the other position will go to Lucas Terrer or Saidu. We will have to see who is ultimately chosen and what the coach’s approach will be.
GOING TO BED AS LEADERS
Real Zaragoza need to win again to reclaim, at least temporarily, top spot in the division. At a minimum, they would go to bed as leaders. They would then have to wait for the result of Villarreal B’s match against Cartagena on Sunday.
Opposing them will be Europa, who are fighting to remain in the third tier of Spanish football. Naturally, this is the battle for the Gracia neighborhood club, which will experience Real Zaragoza’s visit to its home as a celebration. They cannot afford to slip up again.
