Zaragoza 0 : 1 Valladolid - Newboys Valladolid stun Zaragoza

Posted Monday, August 20, 2012 by PA

Newly promoted Real Valladolid began the Primera Division season with a 1-0 victory over Real Zaragoza at La Romareda.

Midfielder Oscar, who spent four years with Zaragoza before joining Olympiacos in 2008, was the match-winner, scoring towards the end of the first half to earn the visitors the three points.

They could even afford to miss a second half penalty, with Victor Perez Alonso missing the target.

The hosts survived the drop by just two points last season and look like they could be in for a similarly tough campaign after failing to create many chances.

Neither side imposed themselves on the game early on with Helder Postiga's tame 15th-minute effort the first on target, easily saved by Jaime, with the goalkeeper denying Apono two minutes later.

Oscar had the visitors' best chance of the early stages but from 12 yards out shot over.

The visitors were in the ascendancy and should have taken the lead after 35 minutes but Javi Guerra's volley from six yards went wide of the left post.

However Valladolid were not to be denied and broke through with seconds of the first half remaining as Omar Ramos played in Oscar who stroked the ball home from six yards.

Realising his team needed to show a lot more creativity in the second period, Zaragoza coach Manolo Jimenez brought on Jose Mari for Romaric at the break.

It seemed to work as Postiga twice went close to opening his account for the campaign. First a header from just inside the area was tipped around the post by Jaime before the goalkeeper denied the striker, holding the Portuguese's right-footed strike from the edge of the box.

Valladolid should have gone two goals up after Apono handled in the area from a Patrick Ebert free-kick, however Perez sent the spot-kick wide of the left upright.

Zaragoza looked to make the most of the let-off, with Apono shooting wide with seven minutes left, but that was as close as they got in the closing stages as Valladolid made the perfect start in their first game back in the top flight.