Zaragoza Coach Ibai: Some Players Could Have Joined More Prestigious Leagues

According to Diario de Aragón, Zaragoza head coach Ibai is satisfied with the team's squad and revealed that there will be minor changes to the starting lineup for Saturday's match against Antequera. Ibai also defended Barrachina, saying he has the qualities needed to play in La Liga.

Ibai said that after the transfer window closed, the team faced “a happy problem, because without a doubt we have the best squad.” He will continue to make promotion the objective and said he “naturally accepts this responsibility.” Ibai also said that some players could have moved to more prestigious leagues but chose to stay at Zaragoza, which deserves recognition; he believes there was “nothing to criticize” about the transfer market.

Regarding Saturday's match against Antequera, Ibai confirmed that Zaragoza will not use the same starting lineup as in their debut in Tarragona, but the changes will not be extensive. He said: “The opponent will make us create different combinations on the pitch, and there will be changes, but I don't want to change too much because we need to maintain the feeling from the previous match.” Ibai also revealed that among the three latest signings, Sangali, Ureña and Ilanso, one of them will start.

Ibai believes the three new signings “will be very important throughout the season,” but they do not have guaranteed starting roles: “Everyone is the same, the demands are the same, and it also depends on their condition.” He particularly praised Marco Sangali, saying he can play as a right-back, left-back, right winger or left winger because few players understand the game as fully as he does.

Speaking about Lucas Terrer and Barrachina, Ibai said: “Lucas has more certainty about him, but I want to talk about Barrachina. We have high hopes for both players, and they both have excellent qualities. Barrachina has received a lot of criticism, but he has the qualities to play in La Liga, and time will prove that I was not wrong. Lucas is absolute certainty. Both of them have a strong Zaragoza character, and they are both great young players.”

Regarding outside criticism, Ibai said he “almost does not care,” but he understands the emotions of the fans and the anxiety that comes with them. He said: “Everyone has experienced many bad seasons, as well as last year's disaster, so I understand them. The fans want to win, and I cannot guarantee victories, but I can guarantee that the team will convey its ideas. Some matches will be better, and some will be worse.”

Discussing whether the 4-2-3-1 formation used in Tarragona will become the main system, Ibai said he “does not place much importance on fixed systems.” Although the team was listed on paper as using that formation at the start, it will continue to change during matches. He also said he likes the three-center-back system with wing-backs, which he often used previously at Arenas de Getxo, and that the team will use it this season as well: “We have players who are very suitable for this system, but we will only use it in certain matches because it makes you easier to read, and what we want is to be unpredictable. You will most likely see it during the season because I like it very much.”

Finally, Ibai discussed the areas Zaragoza need to improve after their match in Tarragona. He said: “The team should have won. We were the side with the highest attacking efficiency, the most shots, the fastest passing rhythm and the highest possession. We still need to improve our marking coordination in possession; we performed poorly for 20% of the time, and our positioning in the penalty area and ability to handle different match rhythms also need improvement, but this match still gives people reason for optimism.”