Real Zaragoza had the chance to win again after their first defeat of the season in Burgos. The match was marked by the heavy rain that fell in the Aragonese capital throughout the day on Saturday, but a duel with a First Division flavour.
Levante arrived at La Romareda as leaders, while Víctor Fernández’s team was looking to recover the good feelings from the start of the league. The Aragonese coach lined up Gaetan Poussin, Calero, Vital, Lluis López, Tasende, Toni Moya, Francho, Adu Ares, Liso, Soberón and Marí from the start. The Aragonese squad went out to fight for the match from the start, looking for Andrés Fernández’s goal and forcing the first corner in the first play of the match.
Víctor Fernández’s men took control of the ball in the first few minutes and Levante focused on defending Zaragoza’s constant attacks. Poussin appeared in the 11th minute to save a clear goal from Carlos Álvarez. With the Zaragoza team dominating, Francho forced a penalty and Soberón put the score at 1-0. A deserved result, given that the Aragonese team was far superior.
Dela received his first yellow card of the match after a foul on Alberto Marí. Liso came very close to making it 1-0 ahead, but Andrés sent his shot out for a corner. Levante tried, with Carlos Álvarez as the protagonist, but Vital and Lluis López remained alert to clear everything that came their way.
Poussin again made an incredible save, but the ball ended up going in (according to the VAR) and Levante made it 1-1 after Morales’ shot. The match went into the break with everything still to be decided.
The second half began with Clemente coming on for Tasende for Real Zaragoza. The dynamic remained the same, with Víctor Fernández’s team attacking Andrés Fernández’s goal. Marí and Adu Ares tried to score a second without luck, with Levante looking for counterattacks with the speed of Brugué and Morales.
Calero also dared to go for the goal and hit the crossbar, while the referee cautioned Toni Moya. Víctor made changes to the bench and brought on Bazdar and Aketxe for Adu Ares and Soberón. The match reached a point where anything could happen, with both teams looking for victory. Azón also came on to the pitch for Alberto Marí.
In the 84th minute, Samed Bazdar came up with a great play to make it 2-1 and La Romareda burst into joy. The Aragonese team continued to attack and Aketxe hit the post with a trademark free kick. In added time, Carlos Nieto came on, replacing a cheered Liso. There was no time for more and the team from Zaragoza took a vital victory to return to the top.
After this match, Real Zaragoza will have a difficult away game next Saturday, with the match against Sporting de Gijón at El Molinón.
