Zaragoza vs Getafe preview - Jimenez makes relegation pledge

Posted Saturday, January 14, 2012 by PA

Manuel Jimenez has vowed to "work to death" to drag Real Zaragoza out of the relegation zone as he prepares for his first home game in charge of La Liga's bottom side against Getafe.

Jimenez took charge of Zaragoza on New Year's Eve after the club sacked Javier Aguirre following a run of just two wins from their opening 16 games.

Jimenez has wasted little time making his mark on the Aragon club, with Carlos Aranda and Ivan Obradovic both signing and former Real Madrid star Guti offered a return to Spain after he was released by Besiktas.

"This is the first final and we have another final in the next match and it will continue to be like that until we are out of the relegation zone," Jimenez told Zaragoza's website.

"There will be at least two months of suffering ahead but I will work to death for Real Zaragoza."

Jimenez saw his team narrowly lose to Racing Santander in his first match in charge last week, but Los Blanquillos know they have a better chance of coming away with something from Saturday`s clash against Getafe, who have a poor away record.

Zaragoza have not won since October 16, but Jimenez has called on his players to believe they can recover from their troubles.

"At Real Zaragoza we are all as one and we have to support each other," he added.

"We have to give 200 per cent. I only want players who are ready and want to stand up.

"The team should stop fearing defeat and the only way we can do that is by winning."

Getafe's inconsistent form has left them just four points above the drop zone and manager Luis Garcia believes the game is also like a cup final.

"We have to know that when we go there it will be a final for them," he told a news conference. "We have to give our all to win this game. If we do give everything we have a chance.

"For them the game is a real final and for us it is very important too, another final.

"We cannot keep thinking about whether we are going to stay up or how many points we need. The only thing we have to think about is winning in Zaragoza, playing consistently and doing things well.

"We have a difficult month coming up and we have to try to get some points on the board to put us in mid-table."

Getafe midfielder Pedro Leon is back in training after three months out with a serious knee injury and could feature.