Sellés Admits Zaragoza Can't Demand Fan Unity After Showing Up Half-Asleep in Andorra
Rubén Sellés faces the music ahead of a crunch clash with Burgos, admitting Zaragoza's Andorra display was unacceptable and calling Saturday a straight-up final.
Rubén Sellés is staring down the barrel, and he knows it. One win in eleven league games has left Real Zaragoza rock bottom of Segunda División, and Saturday’s home match against Burgos is shaping up to be the most important 90 minutes of his tenure so far.
The Gaffer’s on the Brink — But the Club’s Backing Him (For Now)
Sellés has been having some frank conversations with the Zaragoza hierarchy this week, and by all accounts the club hasn’t pulled the trigger just yet. He’s been told he has their support and confidence, though he was pretty clear-eyed about the reality of his situation — every match is effectively an audition at this point, and he’s hoping he won’t still be thinking about his job security when the final whistle goes on Saturday.
That’s the kind of pressure that either galvanises a manager or finishes him off.
Andorra Was a Shambles, and He’s Not Hiding From It
The performance away at Andorra FC last weekend was, by Sellés’ own admission, well below the standard needed. The team weren’t connected, the display was poor, and he’s taken personal responsibility for it. Crucially, he’s signalled it will affect his team selection — so expect changes.
- A couple of players who’ve been sidelined through injury have returned to training, which is a welcome boost
- Sellés hasn’t named names, but he’s hopeful at least two of them will be fit enough to feature
- The new January arrivals haven’t lost his faith — he’s happy with their impact, though a red card in the Andorra game forced him to reshuffle in ways he hadn’t planned
It’s a Final. Again.
Last week was described as a final. This week is also a final. At some point the word loses its meaning, but the sentiment is real enough — Zaragoza genuinely cannot afford to drop more points. The margin for error has essentially gone.
Sellés was particularly pointed about the relationship between the team and the fans. He knows La Romareda faithful are still there, still hoping, still willing to get behind the side — but he was refreshingly honest that you can’t ask supporters to rally around you when you’ve just served up a first half as flat as the one in Andorra. The fans need a reason to believe. It’s on the players to give them one.
Francho Getting His Flowers
One bright spot in an otherwise grim week: Sellés was full of praise for Francho, calling him one of the most consistent performers in the squad and one of the players who’s genuinely been giving everything. His message to the dressing room earlier in the week was described as clear and sincere, and Sellés wants the group to respond to that energy. Keep the performances up, and his place in the XI is safe.
Bottom line: Zaragoza are in a proper mess, their manager is fighting for his life, and Saturday against Burgos is about as close to a must-win as it gets in February. The squad needs to turn up — all of them, from the first whistle.