By DPA
Madrid : Real Zaragoza confirmed their poor start to the season by being held to a 1-1 at home to well-drilled Racing Santander in Spain’s football league.
Oscar Serrano gave Santander the lead, Ricardo Oliveira levelled for the hosts.
Zaragoza are heavily fancied to take a UEFA Champions League place this season, but have picked up just one point from their first two games.
“We were not quick enough tonight,” said Zaragoza coach Victor Fernandez, “neither mentally nor physically.”
“We really must learn to play at a faster pace.”
His South American-flavoured team enjoyed 59 per cent possession, but lacked the craft to create many clear goal chances.
Santander were content to soak up the pressure and keep their shape.
They took the lead, against the run of play, in the 54th minute, when Serrano scored with a precise left-foot volley after the Zaragoza defence had failed to clear a corner.
Oliveira equalised for Zaragoza in the 74th minute by putting away a lucky rebound after a corner.
Santander – who held Barcelona to a draw in their debut – then prepared to resist a late siege, but Zaragoza again lost their rhythm.
In Saturday’s other game was a tame goalless draw between Levante and newly promoted Murcia.
Murcia have made a good start in the top flight and have four points from their two games. Levante, in contrast, have just one point.
The big game Sunday sees big spenders Real Madrid away to in-form Villarreal, who have not lost a league game since April.
Barcelona, meanwhile, will have to take on Athletic Bilbao without Samuel Eto’o, who will be out for three months after Saturday’s operation to repair torn muscle and tendon in his right thigh.