Real Zaragoza won again, this time against one of the teams expected, at least in theory, to compete with the Blanquillos for the highest places. Ibiza, undone by glaring defensive errors, held out until the visitors turned those mistakes into goals. That is football, and it means Zaragoza go to sleep second in the standings.
As a result, and with the rest of their rivals yet to play, Real Zaragoza are just one point behind the leaders. Above all, they are one point away from direct promotion. That is what matters in this extremely difficult exile in the third tier.
THE MATCH
There were changes for Real Zaragoza, with more surprises in the shape of the team than in the faces. Against Ibiza, Ibai Gómez opted for a left-sided double full-back setup with Pereira and Escudero, while Ureña dropped out of the starting eleven. Up front, Vadillo was deployed, in principle, as the main striker.
The first half quickly turned into a fierce battle for possession, which was key for both teams to find space on the pitch. Both sides liked having the ball – as much as can be seen at this level, of course – and using it to create danger. That was the idea.
Ibiza threatened first, with a shot from Ortiz that Westerveld kept out. Real Zaragoza responded in the 10th minute, taking advantage of a defensive error by Curbelo that left Vadillo one-on-one with Prieto. He missed, but it was clear that the hosts were vulnerable at the back.
Can Misses Stadium, where Ibiza and Real Zaragoza played. Photo: U.D. Ibiza
That was the Can Misses side’s Achilles heel. Real Zaragoza were able to dominate with the ball, but above all by exploiting their opponents’ defensive frailty. Rubén Díez missed another chance after a fine cutback from Jardí in the 17th minute. Once again, only a goal was missing to complete his performance.
During their best spell, Real Zaragoza were too wasteful. That remained their unfinished business in the first half. Terrer could not finish after cutting inside the last defender in the 22nd minute, and Vadillo also failed to score after a good cross from Pereira in the 31st. This period undoubtedly belonged to the Blanquillos – red in Ibiza – but without success.
From then on, Ibiza managed to get a foothold in the game. Manu Justo could not connect with a cross from Ortiz that would surely have given the hosts the lead. The Ibiza players also failed to capitalize on Westerveld’s poor decision when coming out for a high ball. At half-time, the score was 0-0, with the feeling that although Real Zaragoza had been the better side, they did not deserve more than a point.
SECOND HALF
But Ibai Gómez saw it from the bench. Saidu came on in midfield at the start of the second half, while Ureña, ultimately a vital player, entered in the 56th minute. Before that, however, Ibiza had the first chance through Manu Justo.
What Ibiza failed to take, Real Zaragoza did not. In the 57th minute, Ureña collected a cross from Jardí, supplied by Espiau, and fired the ball into the back of the net. The attacker unlocked the game when it became most difficult, setting Real Zaragoza on the path to a fourth straight win.
The goal was reviewed for a possible handball for three minutes, and two minutes after play resumed, Ureña and Espiau threatened again. Ibiza made an incomprehensible back pass that the Canary Islands forward collected before going one-on-one with Prieto. He missed, but the Dominican was there to tap in the decisive 0-2 in the 60th minute.
Ureña, scorer of both goals against Ibiza. Photo: Real Zaragoza
From then on, Real Zaragoza only had to let the game run its course. They surrendered possession and allowed time to pass. Little else happened on the pitch. But away from it, the most important thing can be said: the Blanquillos have secured their fourth consecutive victory and are now one point from the top. In other words, most importantly, one point from direct promotion.
TEAM SHEET
U.D. Ibiza: Andrés Prieto; Busto, Jérémy Blasco, Curbelo, Víctor García; Genaro (Fadel, min 40’), Valls (Mazega, min 78’), Astals, Pedro Ortiz (Varela, min 67’); Lazo (Yoldi, min 46’), Manu Justo (Eslava, min 67’)
Real Zaragoza: Westerveld; Sangalli, Iranzo, Diego González, Escudero (Ureña, min 56’); Lucas Terrer (Saidu, min 46’), Ademo; Jardí (Cuenca, min 86’), Rubén Díez (Monzón, min 70’), Pereira, Vadillo (Espiau, min 56’)
Referee: Roca Robles. Booked Terrer (min 22’), Rubén Díez (min 35’), Fadel (min 41’), Jardí (min 47’), Ademo (min 50’), Saidu (min 61’), Monzón (min 76’)
Goals: 0-1, Ureña (min 57’); 0-2, Ureña (min 62’).
