Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez believes that in the overall balance, 2012 was a good year for the club.
The Aragonese enjoyed a turnaround in League form in the second half of 2011-12 to avoid relegation on the last day of the season, whilst they ended the year in a more comfortable 12th position after 17 rounds of 2012-13.
“As a calendar year, this has been a good year since everything has been going right. We have followed up a strong finish to last season with a good start to this campaign and the goal is to maintain this run of form in 2013,” reflected Roberto to reporters this week.
“This season we are doing well, achieving great results at difficult grounds and against very difficult teams.
“Our hope is to improve on this at home. Of course, if we knew how to combine home and away form, we would be talking frankly about good results. The next step is to bring joy to our fans at the Romareda.”
Zaragoza have lost five of their eight League games played at home so far this season, including the last two games by 1-0 score-lines.
“We need that extra quality for those teams that come to our ground to defend. In those games there are few chances to score.
“With teams that come here to try and play a bit more with the ball, the games are more open and we can find more gaps to reach the opponents’ goal.
“For 2013, my wish is that the team has fewer injuries, that no-one suffers anything serious. We have found a good working method, a good atmosphere and if we follow these things, we have the characteristics for a good season.”
This calendar year begins with Friday’s opening fixture of Week 18 at home to Real Betis. The scheduling of the fixture meant an earlier return to training for Roberto and his teammates.
“We would have liked to have had a few days off, but from the day that we came back I have seen a team that is very motivated, wanting to work and already thinking towards the game with Betis.
“They are a team that did well last season and are again doing well this year. They are in particular a united group, but we are capable of beating them.”
