Real Zaragoza played Real Murcia at La Nueva Condomina on Sunday, where the match ended in a goalless draw. This Friday, they will be back in action in Barcelona against Europa, while on Tuesday they will travel to face Tudelano in the Copa del Rey. Then, on Saturday the 31st, they will host fellow promotion contenders and leaders Villarreal B at the Ibercaja Stadium. As a reserve side, Villarreal B does not compete in the knockout tournament.
Gabilondo did not want to make excuses. “The fatigue is taking its toll, but we have the squad to deal with it. There is little time to recover, but given the physical level the team shows in matches, it should not affect us too much,” the Real Zaragoza player said, closing the matter.
Real Zaragoza marks out the playing area while preparing for the next match. Photo: A.P.
In fact, he sees the players as “very upbeat”: “We have come from two away matches in which we picked up points. Even though we did not win, getting points is important.” The team is therefore “highly motivated”.
Gabilondo returned to the starting lineup after several matches in which Marco Sangalli had displaced him from coach Ibai Gómez’s plans. He considers that return to Real Zaragoza’s starting eleven “important”. “I had not been playing, but I was working well. The important thing is the team. Marco had been getting good minutes and I can understand it, but I am happy to contribute,” he said.
He also did so in a more defensive role. “A player has to adapt to what the coach asks of him. I was given the defensive role, without making too many forward runs, but that was what the match required. I try to learn from Marco and we complement each other well,” he maintained.
THE DRAWS
Although the idea is always to “go out to win”, Real Zaragoza have recorded two consecutive draws. “In Madrid (against Atlético B, 4-4) we came back, and the other day (Murcia, 0-0), we will appreciate the point with time,” said Gabilondo, who now trusts the team to claim a victory.
He also praised an “incredible” fan base. “In away matches they show their support and the players feel it. We are very closely united with the Zaragoza supporters,” he said about the atmosphere in the stands.
Now the aim is to win again. “We hope to be more involved in the game and create more attacking play than in Murcia, where it was more difficult for us and we were more defensive. We start from the fact that we always want to win; that is what is demanded of us, and we are aware of where we are,” added the Real Zaragoza player.
EUROPA
It remains to be seen whether Gabilondo will be part of Real Zaragoza’s starting eleven against Europa. However, he did not appear concerned about it. “Time puts you in your place. Marco had been doing well and the team was winning. I understand playing less. What matters is being prepared, coming on and doing well, and being up to the level of my teammates,” he concluded.
Now it is time to beat Europa. Murcia were “an intense opponent” and attracted “the best attendance of the season”. They, the opposition, “play too”. Now it is time to play away from home again. “The opponent starts with a certain advantage because of that, but we are Real Zaragoza and we must go out to win every match. We have clear ideas,” Gabilondo concluded.
