Mallorca vs Zaragoza preview - Caparros demands more

Posted Sunday, December 02, 2012 by PA

Real Mallorca coach Joaquin Caparros is keen to see his side improve on their midweek Copa del Rey performance when they return to Primera Division action against Real Zaragoza.

The islanders progressed to the last 16 after beating Deportivo La Coruna on away goals, but they could only manage a goalless draw in Thursday night's second leg at the Iberostar Stadium.

That display did not sit well with Caparros, however, and he has demanded more from his players as they look to arrest a seven-match winless run in the league which has seen them slip to 16th.

"The most important thing is that we have gone through," he said on rcdmallorca.es.

"That is a positive achievement for us and we managed to keep a clean sheet as well.

"But we have to improve. Our progress gives us some peace of mind for Sunday (against Zaragoza) and I hope the players can now recover in time.

"Our focus is now on Zaragoza and I ask the fans to make the effort and come and watch us on Sunday. We want positive people there because that will rub off on the team."

Zaragoza also enjoyed cup success in midweek, advancing on the away goals rule despite a 2-1 second-leg defeat to Granada.

Helder Postiga was sent off in that match and also needed stitches in a head wound which has left him doubtful for the trip to Mallorca.

Despite that, coach Manolo Jimenez was more than happy to scrape through.

"Both teams played at a high intensity," he said.

"We took our time to get into the game while Granada started strongly, but we did pretty well in the second half.

"It was very tight but we will settle for the away goal. It was an energetic cup tie and will hopefully give us a lift in the league as well."

Zaragoza lie 13th in La Liga, three points better off than Mallorca, but have suffered back-to-back defeats against Barcelona and Celta Vigo.