Atletico Madrid vs Zaragoza preview - Manzano: Fans deserve a performance

Posted Sunday, October 30, 2011 by PA

Atletico Madrid coach Gregorio Manzano admits his struggling side owe it to their fans to put in a big performance and pick up three much-needed points against Real Zaragoza at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday.

Atletico underwent a major overhaul this summer with Manzano and a host of new players being brought in, but the new-look Rojiblancos have suffered a dismal start to the campaign.

Thursday's 3-0 loss at Athletic Bilbao left Atletico 12th in the Primera Division standings with just two wins and 10 points from nine games - three points above the relegation zone.

Another big concern for Manzano is a lack of goals, with his side having failed to net in six of their league matches to date.

Atletico have at least managed to give their side something to cheer about at home, beating both Racing Santander and Sporting Gijon 4-0 earlier in the campaign, but Manzano knows they need to produce something special against Zaragoza.

"We owe it to all our fans and on Sunday the professionals who go out onto the pitch have to do it with the conviction of giving 200% because the Atletico fans deserve it," said Manzano, whose side have not won in their last seven Primera Division and Europa League matches. "A team like Atletico have to be more consistent."

Zaragoza, who are coached by former Atletico boss Javier Aguirre, have also had a disappointing start to the season, and they go into this weekend's fixtures two spots and one point below Atletico in the table.

Aguirre's side recorded only their second win of the campaign a fortnight ago with a 2-0 triumph over Real Sociedad but in the last week they have lost 3-0 at Osasuna and 1-0 at home to Valencia.

Zaragoza forward Luis Garcia admits things have not gone to plan but said on www.elperiodicodearagon.com: "We've only had nine games and of them we've played five teams who at the start of the season were considered contenders to fight for a Champions League spot. After Sunday we only have Barcelona and Sevilla to play.

"There are now 10 games left in the first half of the season and most will be against teams who have the same potential and same expectations as us. We need to be realistic and take into account we've played very hard games."