There was no winner in this Aragonese derby, as SD Huesca and Real Zaragoza shared out the spoils at El Alcoraz in a game that proved to be too combative soon, even dirty at times in the first half. Both sides’ captains were red-carded, which was not an exciting spectacle, and the fans did not leave the stadium totally satisfied.
The first-half scenario was definitely in none of the managers’ plans, since both teams lost their captains after they were shown a straight red card and went 1-1 into the half-time. However, the encounter had begun with nice opportunities in both areas and level on occasions. The hosts registered the first effort when Obeng’s shot hit the post after 13 minutes. Juan Carlos was already facing the keeper when a defender burst ahead him to clear the ball. It ultimately fell to Obeng, but his powerful shot hit the far post for Timor to catch the rebound, but his shot skidded wide. The Oscenses felt more and more comfortable, remaining dangerous on every occasion they ventured forward and making the most of Gerard Valentin’s incredible attacking performance, who kept getting forward down the wing, trying to combine with Obeng, who was enjoying the day in the box. However, in that precise moment, when the Azulgranas were displaying their attacking prowess, Pulido was sent off in the 27th minute for a challenge on Giuliano Simeone. It was a setback for Ziganda’s men, who saw Zaragoza take the lead through Bebe. Nevertheless, referee Lopez Toca would take out his red card again, this time to show it to Zaragoza’s captain, Alberto Zapater following a tackle on Oscar Sielva. The teams were level in terms of men and they would be level on the score, too. A long-range powerful effort from Andrei Ratiu was repelled by Cristian Alvarez, but Obeng was clever to net the rebound.
Obeng shut the first half and was very close to open the second 45, when he drove the ball and combined with Ratiu for the Romanian to fire a shot on target, but the defence cleared the ball from the line. Ziganda decided to make some changes then, introducing Ruben Pulido, Kento and Marc Mateu. The first ball of the latter was a very dangerous corner. SD Huesca kept on piling up the goal attempts with in an exciting flurry that saw a strike from Florian ricochet towards goal off a defender, but Cristian pulled off an excellent save. The visitors struggled to fashion opportunities as Andres did not need to use his gloves in a tepid second half for Zaragoza which ended all square. It meant the Azulgranas had to settle for a point but, having been so close to taking all three, it ultimately felt like a defeat for SD Huesca’s side in the aftermath of the final whistle.
