Zaragoza vs Valladolid preview - Gonzalez relishing Zaragoza reunion

Posted Monday, August 20, 2012 by PA

Real Valladolid return to the Primera Division with Oscar Gonzalez eager to come up against his former employers Real Zaragoza.

Valladolid were promoted via the play-offs last season and must wait until the final game of the opening weekend to make their top-flight reappearance.

It will mark Oscar's first game in the division since 2008, when he left Zaragoza for Greek side Olympiacos before returning to his homeland last season to help Valladolid clinch their elevation.

Recalling his four-year spell at La Romareda, he said: "It was very good, we played in the UEFA Cup three of the four years I was there.

"It was a very nice spell in which the first two years in particular I was very happy. From there it went downhill slightly but in general it was very positive to be there and I have good memories."

Now, though, he is focused on beating his former employers, and told AS: "They have a good team and have made eight signings. We'll see how it goes.

"We have to be ourselves. As the coach says, we are faithful to a philosophy, we have the ball and attack. When we do not have the ball we have to suffer and fight to win it back.

"But basically we must do the same, because we still have much of the squad from last season."

The match is being played in the controversial new 11pm time slot in Spain (2200BST) and Oscar added: "We would prefer to play earlier but we have to play when they (the league) say.

"It is hard for people working the next day or for children, but they are the bosses and there is no more to say."

Zaragoza finished last season only two points above the relegation zone but after winning their last four games, captain Javier Paredes has called for them to pick up where they left off.

"We want to keep the line from the end of last season," he told the club's website.

"The team is in good shape for the start of the league. Starting the season with a win would help us believe more in ourselves and grow.

"We should not set targets but take each game as it comes. The league classification will put us where we deserve to be."

Glenn Loovens will be absent from the Zaragoza defence tomorrow due to a medial knee ligament injury.