Zaragoza vs Athletic Bilbao preview - Doblas targets Bilbao scalp

Posted Wednesday, March 02, 2011 by PA

Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Toni Doblas believes his side should be pleased with the point they picked up at Sporting Gijon at the weekend but hopes the Aragonese outfit can go one better with a win at home to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night.

Zaragoza are still in the relegation zone following Saturday's goalless draw at El Molinon, but Javier Aguirre's side looked more organised at the back and managed to avoid a third straight league defeat.

"When you are fighting against relegation, every point is valuable," Doblas said.

The experienced keeper, in for the injured Leo Franco, says the players have now switched their attentions to the clash with Athletic.

"We are already focused on that match, preparing for it, and we are going out to win it."

After the match against Athletic, Zaragoza face leaders Barcelona and third-placed Valencia.

"It's complicated, but we are taking it game by game," said Doblas, who is set to keep his place even if Franco is declared fit.

Athletic, meanwhile, felt aggrieved at what they considered a poor refereeing performance in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia.

Unai Emery's side employed a physical approach and defender David Navarro went unpunished for a nasty elbow on striker Fernando Llorente, but the Basques' protests fell on deaf ears and the defeat saw them drop back to sixth place in the table.

"It was a clear sending-off," coach Joaquin Caparros said.

"But in football the important thing is goals and we didn't finish off the game - we have to learn to do that."

Andoni Iraola is available again after suspension, but Ibai Gomez and Jon Aurtenetxe are sidelined.