The Real Zaragoza coach has not tried to hide it. He will change his starting lineup because of Antequera’s style of play. “The opponent forces us to create different relationships. There will be some changes, not many because I want to maintain the positive feelings from the other day, but there will be changes because of the way the opponent plays: they attack and defend differently,” he explained at the pre-match press conference.
That brings the three new signings into the spotlight: Iranzo, Ureña and Sangalli. He also spoke about them. “All three must be important. Ureña and Marco arrived without training. They may still lack not fitness, but feelings, contact with the ball, interactions… everything takes time, but they must be important,” the Real Zaragoza coach analyzed.
Ibai Gómez during this preseason in Boltaña. Photo: Pilar Álvarez
He also offered a small clue: “Of the three who have arrived, one will start.” So, barring a surprise, one of the three players will make his debut in the starting lineup. Diego González could also feature, as Ibai Gómez considers him “ready to play.”
Although he arrives after working on his own throughout the summer, the coach had very positive things to say about Sangalli. “You will see him at right-back, left-back, right wing, left wing… there are few players who understand the game as well as he does. You can see it from day one. It is a pleasure to train players like him,” he said.
WATCH OUT: FIVE-MAN DEFENSE
Not necessarily in this match, but Ibai Gómez’s Real Zaragoza will play with a five-man defense if the coach’s predictions prove correct. He ventured to say that it will “surely” be seen at some point. Not in the long term, but this very season in the third division.
“We have players to play with three center-backs. It will be for certain matches, because it makes you more predictable and we want to be as unpredictable as possible. We have players who are perfect for playing with five at the back, and you will surely see it during the season,” he said.
In any case, the coach is not convinced by the idea of talking about formations. We will have to see which one he uses this Saturday. One thing is how a team starts and another is how the match develops. Real Zaragoza has guaranteed changes and a new signing in the starting lineup. That much is certain.
