Real Zaragoza [Segunda]

[Pat Murphy]

City/Province: Zaragoza, Aragón
Stadium: Estadio La Romareda
Capacity: 34,596
Club Founded: 1932
Manager: Víctor Fernández
Nickname: Blanquillos, Maños



Squad:

Goalkeepers
1. César
13. Miguel
25. Raul Valbuena

Defenders
2. Carlos Diogo
4. Luis Carlos Cuartero
6. Roberto Ayala
11. Juanfran
23. Sergio
24. Chus
-- Paredes
-- Pavon

Midfielders
7. Movilla
8. Pablo César Aimar
10. D'Alessandro
14. Gustavo Nery
15. Ángel Lafita Castillo
16. Albert Celades
20. Antonio Longás Ferrer
21. Alberto Zapater
26. Carmelo
27. Chus
-- Valero
-- Gabi


Strikers
5. Óscar
9. Sergio García
17. Ewerthon
22. Diego Milito
27. Ripa
-- Eneko
-- Ricardo Oliveira


Players Out:


Players In:

[Trim]

Zaragoza playmaker Pablo Aimar has suffered a recurrence of an earlier knee injury, and has been ruled out of Wednesday's Copa del Rey clash with Barcelona. The Argentine could be out for up to a month!

The news comes as a major blow for Zaragoza, who take on Barcelona over two legs in the Cup, and are also vying for a European berth.

Aimar was inujured during Sunday's La Liga clash against Deportivo, and scans have revealed damage in a knee ligament.

The good news is that it is not the cruciate ligament that has ended so many players' seasons already. It is also not said to be a very serious injury, and he will not need an operation, simply some rest and physiotherapy.

However, the bad news is that it is a recurrence of the injury he picked up earlier in the season - in October - when he was out for three weeks.

It is also slightly more serious than last time around, and the Zaragoza medical team believe that it could take him upto a month to recover completely.

Aimar will definitely miss the two legs of the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Barcelona, as well as at least three La Liga games. There are also suggestions that the player might himself choose to go under the knife, so as to prevent the same problem fron flaring up again.

Goal.com - Aimar Ruled Out Of Barcelona Clash

[Trim]

What a big blow for Zaragoza.

[kennethlindheim]

Good news for Barca.

[Magical20]

bwahah last time we met they didnt have him either..poor them.. (poor aimar.. like the player)

[Trim]

Lol they beat ya without Aimar

[Pat Murphy]

Gabi confirms Zaragoza switch

Atletico Madrid midfielder Gabi has confirmed he will leave the club in the summer to join Primera rivals Real Zaragoza.

The 23-year-old, who came through Atletico's youth ranks, has struggled to truly establish himself at the Vicente Calderon despite being viewed as one of the country's brightest young midfield prospects for some time.

He has hardly featured under coach Javier Aguirre this term and, despite being offered a new contract by Atletico, has decided to sign a five-year deal with Zaragoza and will move in the summer when his present deal expires.

"I have signed for the next five seasons with Zaragoza and can only say I negotiated with some weeks with Atletico and could not find an agreement," he explained.

"They (Atletico) offered me certain things, both sporting and economic, and Zaragoza bettered them, for which reason I took the decision to leave, but with the consent of the club.

"I am proud to have been here at Atletico, I leave not having truly demonstrated what I can do, but I am convinced Zaragoza is a great place to play and hope to do well there."

Zaragoza have confirmed they have inserted a clause that offers Atletico first option on the player should he leave their club in the future.

Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World

[Pat Murphy]

Good signing for Zaragoza, Gabi hasn't lived up to the promise he showed a his season at Getafe yet but in a midfield with Zapater, D'allesandro and Aimar he could bloom.

[Super Pibe #7]

Very good signing. The main problem for them now is keeping on to d'allesandro,diogo and d.milito since they are only on loan.

Actually i think d'allesandro will be a free agent in the summer and they have a agreed buy out close for milito.

[Tom Andre]

Originally Posted by Pat Murphy

Good signing for Zaragoza, Gabi hasn't lived up to the promise he showed a his season at Getafe yet but in a midfield with Zapater, D'allesandro and Aimar he could bloom.

That sound like a very strong midfield.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Real Zaragoza are ready to haggle with Manchester United in a bid to keep Gerard Pique at the club.

Pique is spending the season on loan in La Liga and the Spanish defender is unsure what the future holds.

He revealed last week that he is keen to forge a career at Old Trafford, but is also wary about returning to the Premiership leaders.

The youngster admitted that, if next season promises a diet of reserve-team football, then he would prefer to stay with Zaragoza.

According to reports in Spain those comments have prompted Zaragoza to start enquiries with regards to a permanent deal for Pique.

A figure of €6million (£4million) has reportedly been quoted for the ex-Barcelona youth, with Zaragoza keen to negotiate down to €4m (£2.7m).

If a price can not be agreed, then the Spanish media expect Zaragoza to ask for another season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal in 2008.

Source: Skysports

[Pat Murphy]

Hopefully Zaragoza can snap him up. I don't think he'll start for United in the next 3 years, if ever.

If Zaragoza can buy Diogo and Pique and maybe keep hold of D'allesandro then they'll probably be a top 6 team again next season.

[Trim]

Gerard Piqué has admitted that he would prefer to stay at Real Zaragoza next season rather than become a shadow player at Manchester United.

The 20-year-old central defender has excelled during a season-long loan at La Romareda and has been a key player in the Aragónese team's quest for a top four finish.

With his deal due to end in the summer, Piqué has has made it clear what he would choose between staying for another year in Spain or becoming a reseerve team player at Old Trafford.

"Both options are attractive, but at Zaragoza things are going very well and I feel important, which is crucial for any player," he said.

"It would be my dream to play for Zaragoza and hear the Champions League hymn."

Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, has kept in constant contact with the Catalan youngster and has had scouts watching the majority of his games in la Primera.

Since teh start of the New Year, Piqué has become a regular in defence alongside Gabriel Milito as Zaragoza have continued their push for a Champions League place.

At Old Trafford he made just three appearances in two seasons after joining the club on a free transfer from Barcelona's B team.

Goal.com - Spain - Piqué Wants To Stay With Real Zaragoza

[Mighty T.A.L.]

He has no future in United.That's for sure.

[Pat Murphy]

He said a while back that he'd be able to play for United next season but I think he sees this as not true now so Zaragoza is a good destination for him.