The way the game unfolded deserves special mention. Real Zaragoza were leading 4-1 in the 85th minute when, within two minutes, they conceded twice and were left trembling before stoppage time. In the end, the three points headed to the Aragonese capital.
Jaume Jardí also deserves special recognition, having played a part in every goal. For the first, his shot struck the goalkeeper before going in; he assisted the second, scored the third and set up the fourth. He was Real Zaragoza's most decisive player as the team moved on to six points from the nine available.
THE MATCH
Real Zaragoza started with changes, as coach Ibai Gómez had announced. Sangalli, Pereira, Ademo and Jardí came into the Aragonese side's starting XI, with the most notable absence being Lucas Terrer. Those were the coach's chosen players.
Real Zaragoza's victory was not straightforward. Not by any means. In fact, just after the start, a poor clearance by Westerveld, who failed to communicate with the defense, almost left Dioni one-on-one. Barely five minutes had gone by.
It could have been worse because, in the seventh minute, Dioni had a goal incomprehensibly ruled out. The kind of decision that causes outrage when it goes against you. He finished alone after another poor clearance by Westerveld and the ball went into the net. But the referee — making his debut, and it showed — called an offside that nobody else saw.
El Pozuelo Stadium, where Torremolinos and Real Zaragoza played
From then on, Real Zaragoza at least tightened up somewhat at the back. But in terms of play, there was nothing. They lacked imagination and the ability to create danger… except for the occasional isolated move. And that is what happened. In the 35th minute came the day's bizarre move. Jardí’s shot struck a defender, then the far post, then the goalkeeper and finally ended up in the net.
And so, without really knowing how, Real Zaragoza found themselves 1-0 up, a scoreline they could hardly have dreamed of. That was not all, either. In the 38th minute, Diego González headed home completely unmarked from a corner to make it 2-0 and put the match on course for the visitors.
Efficient, helped by fortune and solid at the back since the disallowed goal against them, Real Zaragoza had the first half under control. However, Juventud de Torremolinos asked for a handball penalty against Diego González to be reviewed, and it was awarded. Dioni made no mistake to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
SECOND HALF
What had been seen in the first 45 minutes pleased nobody. Nor did it please the coach, who made two changes at halftime. Saidu and Ureña replaced Pau and Vadillo. Lucas Terrer had to come on because Ander Herrera went off injured in the 53rd minute. Bad news for Real Zaragoza.
A little later, efficiency came to the fore again. Torremolinos continued to move the ball well but struggled to finish, which Real Zaragoza took advantage of. After Saidu was fouled just outside the area, Jardí scored the third. It was 3-1 and everything seemed to be back on track.
Even more so after the 4-1. Saidu — assisted by Jardí — scored the fourth, and Real Zaragoza faded. They seemed determined to suffer and to give life to a team that had been three goals down.
Laca pulled one back for 2-4 and Rodri made it 3-4 between the 85th and 87th minutes. It was time to suffer, and suffer badly. At least on this occasion, Real Zaragoza managed to ensure that none of the eight minutes of stoppage time was actually played. In the end, the Aragonese side secured a win but remains in need of improvement.
MATCH DETAILS
Juventud de Torremolinos: Javi Cuenca; Prevedini, Martin Krug, Grozdanic, Petersson (Diaby, 67’); Climent (Dorgu, 68’), Kaptoum, Brandes; Nico Njalla (Dominique, 28’), Dioni, Cristian
Real Zaragoza: Westerveld; Sangalli, Iranzo (Tachi, 72’), Diego G. (Barrachina, 60’), Pereira; Ander Herrera (Terrer, 54’), Ademo; Jaume Jardí, Pau Sans (Saidu, 46’), Vadillo (Ureña, 46’); Joaquín Delgado.
Referee: Joaquín Bejar. Booked Pau Sans (43’), Diego González (45+6’), Brandes (45+11’), Diaby (71’), Delgado (87’), Tachi (92’).
Goals: 0-1, Javi Cuenca own goal (35’); 0-2, Diego González (38’); 1-2, Dioni, penalty (45+9’); 1-3, Jardí (64’); 1-4, Saidu (81’); 2-4, Laca (85’); 3-4, Rodri (88’).
