Racing de Santander vs Zaragoza prevuew - Jimenez bigs up Santander clash

Posted Saturday, January 07, 2012 by PA

Manolo Jimenez accepts that there is "a lot more than three points" at stake as he prepares for his first match as Real Zaragoza boss away to Racing Santander.

Jimenez takes over a side rock bottom of the Primera Division after the departure from the hotseat of Javier Aguirre, four points behind 19th-placed Racing and five adrift of safety.

He told the club's official website: "We are all together to try to save Real Zaragoza. We want to take things forward.

"We are ready to give 120%. We are playing for a lot more than three points."

Jimenez is boosted by the return to full training of Ruben Micael, whose name features in a 19-man squad for the trip to El Sardinero.

Rival coach Juanjo Gonzalez admits Zaragoza's change of coach leaves his side facing something of an unknown quantity, but insisted on his club's website: "We mostly have to worry about ourselves and do things well. If we do, we can win.

"I will not think of any result other than victory."

Racing were beaten 2-0 by Segunda Division B outfit Mirandes on Wednesday in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last 16 clash, and Gonzalez has called for an immediate response.

"We must move on and forget the cup defeat, we must now be focused on the league.

"We play against a direct rival in the path to safety. It is very important but not definitive.

"Beating Real Zaragoza would not see us safe and losing would not condemn us because whatever happens, there is still a lot to play for. However, we understand the importance of the game and we'll definitely try to pick three points that would allow us to climb the table."

Gonzalez has Pape Diop and Alvaro Gonzalez fit after respective ankle and knee injuries.