The Real Zaragoza smiles again and recovers the provisional leadership of Group 2 of Primera Federación. The Aragonese team defeated CE Europa this Friday, October 23, by 0-1 at the Can Dragó stadium in Barcelona, thanks to an own goal by Álex Cano in the final moments of the match. A hard-fought victory that allows Ibai Gómez's team to reconnect with the three points after two consecutive draws and face a matchday that still needs to be completed from the top position.
The victory did not come accompanied by the best play from the white-and-blue team, which had difficulties generating danger for much of the match. However, a corner kick in the 80th minute ended up deciding the match and allowed Zaragoza to add three important points in their goal of returning to professional football.
An own goal by Álex Cano decides the Europa-Zaragoza
The match began with a Zaragoza that tried to impose its dominance through possession, although without finding spaces against a defensively well-organized Europa. Ibai Gómez's players moved the ball, but barely managed to approach the goal defended by Nil Ruiz with danger. In fact, the clearest chances of the first half were for the Catalan team, which took advantage of several counterattacks to test the visiting defense and goalkeeper Westerveld.
After the break, Zaragoza initially maintained the same difficulties. Ibai Gómez then decided to modify the team with the introduction of Rubén Díez and Pau Sans in the 56th minute, two changes that brought greater dynamism to the attack. Subsequently, the incorporation of Joaquín Delgado allowed playing with two forwards and increased offensive presence.
The improvement translated into opportunities for Edu Espiau and Joaquín Delgado, but Nil Ruiz prevented the goal with two decisive interventions. When it seemed that the match could end without goals, Zaragoza found the solution in a set-piece play.
In the 80th minute, Rubén Díez executed a corner kick that Diego González headed. The ball hit Álex Cano and ended up entering the Europa goal. The goal was recorded as an own goal by the local defender and established the definitive 0-1.
During the last minutes, Europa tried to react, but the Aragonese team knew how to protect their lead and prevent the locals from having clear chances to equalize.
This is how the Zaragoza classification looks after winning against Europa
The victory allows Real Zaragoza to reach 20 points after nine matchdays, with a record of six wins, two draws, and one loss. The team of Ibai Gómez thus regains the first position in Group 2 of Primera Federación, although its position still depends on the pending matches of its pursuers.
Villarreal B occupies the second position with 17 points and one game less, so it could equal Zaragoza if it manages to win its next match against Cartagena. The yellow subsidiary also has a better goal difference, a circumstance that could be decisive in such a tight classification.
Zaragoza currently has a goal difference of +7, compared to +8 of Villarreal B. The Aragonese team maintains, in any case, the pressure on its direct rivals thanks to a victory that breaks the dynamic of draws in recent matchdays.
Europa, for its part, continues in a compromised situation. The Catalan team provisionally occupies the seventeenth position, within the relegation spots, after a defeat that came despite competing for a good part of the match.
Upcoming matches for Zaragoza: Copa del Rey and direct duel with Villarreal B
The schedule does not grant much rest to Ibai Gómez's team. Their next commitment will be on Tuesday, October 27 against Tudelano in the Copa del Rey, before returning to league competition to play one of the most important matches of this season's start.
On Saturday, October 31, Zaragoza will host Villarreal B at Ibercaja Estadio, in a direct confrontation between two of the teams occupying the top positions in Group 2. The result could again modify the classification and mark the differences in the fight for the lead.
The victory against Europa also allows the Aragonese to close a series of three consecutive away matches with a positive balance, in which they have accumulated five points out of nine possible. Although the team continues to show difficulties in generating chances, it has managed to maintain its defensive solidity and take advantage of a set-piece action to return to the path of victory.
Zaragoza provisionally occupies the top of the classification again, but must confirm its leadership against Villarreal B, one of its main competitors for promotion.