Zaragoza vs Celta Vigo preview - Jimenez wary of Celta threat

Posted Monday, November 26, 2012 by PA

Real Zaragoza coach Manolo Jimenez has warned his team not to take Celta Vigo lightly at La Romareda, despite the visitors' lowly position in the Primera Division.

Celta head into the game precariously placed just above the relegation zone having won only three of their first 12 games.

Zaragoza are only four points better off, though, and Jimenez believes Paco Herrera's side are a better team than their league standing suggests.

"It's a good team with a lot of speed in attack," he said at his pre-match press conference.

"They have played good games and I think have fewer points than they deserve. They have taken the lead in several games, then lost after being at a disadvantage."

Jimenez's side went down 3-1 against Barcelona at the Nou Camp last weekend, but Jimenez reckons with the right mindset they can get back on track.

"We have to be ambitious and have the ability to continue growing," he said.

"We must realise that we can constantly improve.

"We have to get focused, connected and be as ambitious as ever. In these conditions, we can beat anyone."

Zaragoza will have regular full-backs Abraham and Cristian Sapunaru back from suspension, which should see Javier Paredes return to partner Alvaro Gonzalez in central defence and Adam Pinter move forward into midfield.

Helder Postiga should also be recalled after he was mysteriously dropped for the trip to Barca despite scoring four times in his previous four games in La Liga.

Herrera, whose side drew 1-1 at home to Real Mallorca last Sunday, urged his team to give their all - something he feels they have failed to do on occasion this term.

"We are good, but we do not express 100 per cent," he said. "It makes me angry that our ambition is not the same as other teams."

Herrera, who looks set to be without forward Toni and midfield duo Natxo Insa and Dani Abalo due to injury for the trip, added: "If we win, it would give us a great boost."