Montanes: Zaragoza have nothing to lose

Real Zaragoza striker Paco Montanes says his team has nothing to lose when they take on Barcelona at the Camp Nou this weekend.

However, the 29-year-old believes it would be better for Los Manos if they set their stall out for a point rather than take the game to the hosts, as they did at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid recently.

On that occasion Zaragoza came away defeated 4-0 and Montanes maintains a little more caution may need to be applied against Tito Vilanova’s men.

“We know it is impossible to go there but on that basis we know what we have to do and for us to get anything would be fantastic,” he told a Press conference.

“Last week’s win against Deportivo de La Coruna was our final and has given us a certain amount of confidence, so we’ll travel to Barca with enthusiasm, yet although it would be nice to look good there we left Madrid feeling bad about losing.
“Even so, we are in the middle of a good run and that confidence has been reflected on the pitch.”

Zaragoza Coach Manolo Jimenez said after the Depor victory that if Montanes – signed at the beginning of this season from Alcorcon – continues his progress then he is a candidate for Vicente del Bosque’s Spain squad.

“I’m glad the boss values the work I’m doing but I’m aware it will be very difficult. You need to work really hard and run lots of kilometres to get into that side.

“I still have a lot of things to improve on and I demand a lot from myself, but the national team is another level.

“Jimenez said at the start of the season that our players could improve both individually and collectively and we are showing that every week. If the results are also favourable then it is easier.”

Montanes also revealed that the Barcelona game would be a special occasion for him as he was with the club as a youngster with Pedro, Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique.

“I spent eight years living there, almost all my childhood, and I made a lot of friends. “This match is the most special one of the season for me because we all grew up in La Masia and spent our formative years there, so it will be a huge joy for me to meet up with them all again.”

Tags Manolo Jimenez Montanes
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