Tears, protest and survival as Zaragoza says goodbye to its home | OneFootball

The final whistle at La Romareda marked more than the end of a match—it signalled the close of a 68-year chapter for Real Zaragoza’s venerable home. On Sunday evening, with a packed crowd and palpable emotion, the club secured their Segunda División survival with a 1–0 win over Deportivo La Coruña, courtesy of a Charlie Patiño own goal in the 56th minute. While the on-pitch relief was evident, the broader mood in Zaragoza was bittersweet.

From the outset, the occasion was unmistakably special. Supporters greeted the team with a rousing reception, and the northern stand displayed a striking tifo. Mosaics and commemorative touches—like children sporting special shirts featuring the first-ever eleven to play at La Romareda—highlighted the sense of history. Before kick-off, club legend Severino Reija and long-serving member Jesús Abril performed the ceremonial kick-off, further linking past and present.

The match itself demonstrated the nerves that have typified Zaragoza's campaign. Early chances from Dani Tasende and Pau Sans set a proactive tone, but both sides struggled to settle. Zaragoza’s attacking intentions were clear, but decisive moments were few. The breakthrough arrived early in the second half, when Patiño inadvertently turned in a Raúl Guti corner. Deportivo reacted with changes, notably bringing on Yeremay, whose late strike rattled the crossbar, but the hosts held firm and saw out a vital win.

After the final whistle, emotion spilled over. Many supporters invaded the pitch, gathering mementoes—seats, turf, even pieces of net—from a stadium that has witnessed European nights, cup finals, and decades of drama. The stands rang with chants, notably calls for the board’s resignation. Club owner Jorge Más and his directors faced stern protests, with “Directiva dimisión” echoing loudly in the aftermath. Tensions reflected disappointment at recent seasons spent near the relegation zone and growing frustration at the club’s direction.

The evening’s tone was captured by Francho Serrano, who addressed the crowd post-match to apologise for a difficult season and announced his contract renewal, committing to the club’s future as it prepares for upheaval.

This summer, the Gol Sur stand—long closed—will be demolished as part of a full reconstruction. For the next two campaigns, Real Zaragoza will host matches at a temporary, modular ground under construction at the Expo site, set to seat 20,000. The “new Romareda” is projected to open in 2027.

Sunday’s events encapsulated the complex emotions of saying farewell to a beloved ground: relief at staying up, anger at ongoing struggles, pride in tradition, and anticipation for a new era. La Romareda may be shuttered for now, but memories linger—and Zaragoza’s story continues, carried forward by its fans.

Source: Marca, Heraldo de Aragón, Aragón Digital, Sport Aragón, Real Zaragoza