Real Zaragoza therefore added another point, just as they did a week ago against Atlético’s reserve side. It is not much, but it is better than nothing. Given that Ademo was sent off with 10 minutes remaining, it can be seen as the lesser evil. Even so, there is no doubt that the result amounted to a setback.
The 0-0 scoreline remained on the scoreboard from the first minute to the last. In between, Real Murcia created more chances than Real Zaragoza. The hosts also came close to scoring at the end of the match after a poor exit from Westerveld, but the post kept out the header.
THE MATCH
There were changes to the Real Zaragoza lineup. The full-backs who had started most often so far, Sangalli and Pereira, dropped to the bench, with Gabilondo and Escudero taking their places. The rest of the team remained unchanged from a week ago against Atlético. For Murcia, Flakus emerged as the most dangerous player.
From the opening whistle, Real Zaragoza looked unlike themselves, at least compared with what they had shown up to the previous matchday. Everything was defined by tactics, looking more like basketball than football, and there was a noticeable degree of caution from both teams.
It must be stressed: for the second consecutive week, the Aragonese side failed to show their best form. Even so, the first chance carried the black-and-white side’s signature – they wore black and white this Sunday at La Nueva Condomina – through Ureña. Ademo won the ball and played it to the winger, who failed to finish. As Real Murcia pressed very high up the pitch, they were taking risks that the Aragonese side needed to exploit.
La Nueva Condomina, where Real Zaragoza played on Sunday. Photo: Real Murcia
However, they were not sharp at the back. After five minutes, Rubo made a serious mistake by losing the ball inside his own area, although it did not result in a goal. Diego González also came close to scoring an own goal after a collision between Escudero and Mier, when he deflected the ball toward Westerveld’s goal. The Dutch goalkeeper had to make a good save.
Real Murcia were the better side. Flakus, a nightmare for the defense, threatened again with a header. The minutes passed and the home team continued to make inroads into the visitors’ half. Real Zaragoza put so much effort into preventing attacks that, when Murcia did get forward, they did not know how to respond. Another player deserving mention was the tireless Mier, a constant threat down the right wing. In the 24th minute, he broke into the area again but could not find a teammate to finish.
The same pattern continued before halftime. Iranzo made another mistake and Jorge Mier broke forward again, unable to find anyone to help him turn the ball into the net. Real Zaragoza went into the break at 0-0, with the scoreline the best thing about the first half.
SECOND HALF
But the second half began as the first had ended: with another run down the right wing, this time against an Escudero who was struggling badly. Real Zaragoza coach Ibai Gómez saw that something was wrong and first brought on Sangalli, followed later by Pau and Ander Herrera.
Real Zaragoza improved somewhat after the changes. At least they gained freshness and prevented Real Murcia from reaching the area so easily. They conceded less at the back and won the ball higher up the pitch.
It was not enough to win, but it did allow them to settle. However, Ademo then received a second yellow card and was correctly sent off for a heavy challenge on the ankle. Just as Real Murcia were tiring, the incident gave them fresh impetus to push for the win. Bad news for the black-and-white side.
Even more so because Ander Herrera risked a second yellow card before he had been on the pitch for 15 minutes, while Pau Sans was shown a straight red for an act of aggression. Real Zaragoza were forced further back, especially after a shot struck the crossbar in the 95th minute.
That was how the match ended. At least they took a point. Real Zaragoza suffered a second consecutive setback and need to rediscover their urgency. They also lose the temporary lead in the division.
MATCH DETAILS
Real Murcia: Dani Jiménez; Jorge Mier (Olmedo, min 76’), Hector Pérez, Alberto González, Cristo; Javi Mier, Palmberg (Moyita, min 76’), Chema Núñez (Bustos, min 68’); Javi Moreno, Flakus (Álvaro Giménez, min 68’), Jorquera
Real Zaragoza: Westerveld; Gabilondo, Iranzo, Diego González, Iranzo, Escudero (Sangalli, min 55’); Ademo, Terrer; Jardí (Barrachina, min 84’), Rubén Díez (Ander Herrera, min 68’), Ureña (Saidu, min 84’); Edu Espiau (Pau Sans, min 68’)
Referee: Brull Acerete. Booked Escudero (min 13’), Ander Herrera (min 72’), Pau Sans (min 87’), Héctor (min 95’). Sent off Ademo for two yellow cards (min 45’ and min 82’),
No goals.
