Impressive performance by sharp Latics in penultimate friendly
LATICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Charles N'Zogbia 45'
REAL ZARAGOZA . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Jorge Lopez (Pen) 35'
Braulio Nobrega 75'
Gabriel Fernandez 79'
Report by Paul Chialton
An eye-opening performance by Latics in their penultimate pre-season friendly before the start of the new season.
Playing sharp, attractive and precise football, Roberto Martinez's men looked impressive forming partnerships across the field and responding well to the patterns of play set-out before the game.
The encounter also gave Latics' fans a chance to see a number of new-signings including; Antolin Alcaraz, Mauro Boselli, James McArthur and Ronnie Stam, who all gave fantastic accounts of themselves.
Boselli's awareness, cushioned first-touch and instinctive movements around the penalty area will cause defences problems all-season long, and his link-up play with Hugo Rodallega showed an instant connection between the two.
In defence Antolin Alcaraz and Ronnie Stam were handed debuts, and although their fitness will need plenty of attention over the coming weeks, the gaffer will be delighted with their spirited displays against his former club.
RON DEBUT: Stam Impressive on first appearance
Stam's bombing runs up and down the right-wing found the Dutchman in a number of dangerous positions around the Zaragoza penalty area, and his precise crossing almost brought a goal for Boselli, who saw a header saved comfortably by Leo Franco.
As we've seen previously, James McArthur was commanding in the midfield, charging backwards and forwards to win possession, and using the ball to good effect when at his feet.
As for the game itself, a disappointing result but the kind of performance that is expected at this point of the pre-season, coming much higher up the priority list than the details of the score-board.
Lopez had put the visitors into the lead, firing home from the penalty spot after a Chris Kirkland foul inside the area.
Latics' response was good, building up play and finally making a breakthrough count. Ben Watson's sharp ball through to Charles N'Zogbia on the stroke of half-time ended with the Frenchman rounding the 'keeper and tapping into an empty net to equalise.
It was the least Latics deserved having cracking the opposition back-line on a number of occasions previously but unable to find the killer-touch to make it count.
Nubressa and Gabi put Zaragoza into the lead and settled the game in the second-half, but the 3,500 spectators will have been encouraged by what they saw at the DW Stadium, and the exciting talent Martinez has at his disposal for the new season.
Latics: Kirkland; Boyce (Stam, 55), Gohouri, Alcaraz (Golobart, 60), Figueroa (Baradji, 45); McCarthy, Diame; N'Zogbia (Gomez, 45), Watson (McArthur, 45), Rodalega, Boselli
Subs: Al Habsi, Scotland, Moses
