A new era begins: Zaragoza’s September test revealed | OneFootball

Real Zaragoza’s schedule for the early stages of the new campaign has taken shape, with a trio of matches across league and cup set to test Gabi Fernández’s side as preparations for a summer rebuild continue in earnest.

The Aragonese will travel to face Real Oviedo at the Carlos Tartiere on Saturday, 8 September, kicking off at 18:00 in the fourth week of the regular league season. Following that, Zaragoza return to La Romareda to host Deportivo de La Coruña on Thursday, 12 September, with that match set for a 21:00 start. The club then heads south to play Almería on Monday, 16 September, again with an 18:00 kick-off, as the fifth round of fixtures comes into focus.

In addition to their league commitments, Zaragoza have their eye on cup progression. The return leg of their Copa del Rey round-of-32 tie will see them take on Valencia at Mestalla, with the fixture scheduled for Thursday, 30 November at 21:30.

All this comes against a backdrop of substantial change at the club. Following a season of struggle that saw Zaragoza narrowly secure their Segunda División survival, incoming sporting directors Juanfran Torres and Jorge López are preparing for significant changes across the playing squad. Veterans such as Jair, Nieto and Lluís López are out of contract, while question marks linger over loan returns and the future of some underused forwards. Gabi Fernández, whose stewardship steadied the side last term, is expected to remain, insisting that the club must be “rebuilt from scratch” to meet fan expectations.

Supporters, recently instrumental in lifting the team through a bruising campaign, are also facing changes off the pitch. Traditional terrestrial coverage of LaLiga Hypermotion matches ends this season, meaning that for many, streaming via new digital platforms has become the only way to follow open-access games. The club’s large and loyal following is thus set for a transition period both on the pitch and in the stands.

With fixture dates now confirmed for September and the cup campaign pencilled into the calendar, fans can begin to map out the early months of what promises to be an important season in Zaragoza’s recent history.

Source: Real Zaragoza