Post by Bismarck on Feb 4, 2008 14:40:57 GMT
ZARAGOZA, February 3 (Primera Liga) - Athletic Bilbao remained in deep relegation trouble after Ricardo Oliveira's first-half strike handed Real Zaragoza an important victory on Sunday.
Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros described the trip to La Romareda as the first of ``17 finals'' for his side as they battle to save their Primera Liga status.
The Basque giants are one of three clubs never to be relegated from the top flight in Spain, but while the other two sides holding that proud record - Real Madrid and Barcelona - are flying high at the top of the table, Athletic are looking over their shoulders at the bottom three.
Their latest loss leaves the Basques in 15th place but level on points with Murcia, who occupy the final spot in the relegation zone.
Oliveira struck after 28 minutes to sink an Athletic side whose frustration boiled over in injury-time with Aitor Ocio picking up his second yellow card and a subsequent red.
The win was nothing more than Zaragoza deserved after dominating for long periods.
The one-way traffic started early on with Sergio Garcia firing a left-footed effort over the bar and Oliveira also failing to find the target after some neat approach play from the hosts.
New Zaragoza boss Javier Irureta, taking charge of the side for the first time at La Romareda, was up against a club he played for and managed with distinction.
However, it is unlikely he will have had mixed feelings when Oliveira put Zaragoza ahead, firing home emphatically at the far post after Diego Milito had crossed from the right.
Athletic were woeful in the first half, failing to create a single chance of note.
And they almost fell two behind at the start of the second half, Milito's shot crashing back off the bar.
After that scare, the visitors finally emerged as an attacking threat.
Andoni Iraola had an effort saved by home keeper Cesar Sanchez, Fran Yeste fizzed a volley wide and then saw another shot saved by Cesar.
Former Real Madrid man Cesar was starting to become an influential figure and he again came to Zaragoza's rescue after 66 minutes to keep out Aitor Ramos's shot from the left side of the penalty area.
Zaragoza came again, Garcia shooting wide before an astonishing passage of play somehow failed to result in a second goal.
Garcia's shot from the edge of the area hit the bar and the rebound from Oliveira struck the post before bouncing to safety.
Athletic never really looked like staging a late comeback and their hopes were ended when Ocio received his marching orders.
Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros described the trip to La Romareda as the first of ``17 finals'' for his side as they battle to save their Primera Liga status.
The Basque giants are one of three clubs never to be relegated from the top flight in Spain, but while the other two sides holding that proud record - Real Madrid and Barcelona - are flying high at the top of the table, Athletic are looking over their shoulders at the bottom three.
Their latest loss leaves the Basques in 15th place but level on points with Murcia, who occupy the final spot in the relegation zone.
Oliveira struck after 28 minutes to sink an Athletic side whose frustration boiled over in injury-time with Aitor Ocio picking up his second yellow card and a subsequent red.
The win was nothing more than Zaragoza deserved after dominating for long periods.
The one-way traffic started early on with Sergio Garcia firing a left-footed effort over the bar and Oliveira also failing to find the target after some neat approach play from the hosts.
New Zaragoza boss Javier Irureta, taking charge of the side for the first time at La Romareda, was up against a club he played for and managed with distinction.
However, it is unlikely he will have had mixed feelings when Oliveira put Zaragoza ahead, firing home emphatically at the far post after Diego Milito had crossed from the right.
Athletic were woeful in the first half, failing to create a single chance of note.
And they almost fell two behind at the start of the second half, Milito's shot crashing back off the bar.
After that scare, the visitors finally emerged as an attacking threat.
Andoni Iraola had an effort saved by home keeper Cesar Sanchez, Fran Yeste fizzed a volley wide and then saw another shot saved by Cesar.
Former Real Madrid man Cesar was starting to become an influential figure and he again came to Zaragoza's rescue after 66 minutes to keep out Aitor Ramos's shot from the left side of the penalty area.
Zaragoza came again, Garcia shooting wide before an astonishing passage of play somehow failed to result in a second goal.
Garcia's shot from the edge of the area hit the bar and the rebound from Oliveira struck the post before bouncing to safety.
Athletic never really looked like staging a late comeback and their hopes were ended when Ocio received his marching orders.