David Navarro Plans Tactical Shift with Four Starting Lineup Changes
Real Zaragoza prepare for Sunday’s match at La Romareda against Racing de Santander. Coach David Navarro has frequently started with two strikers. He may now offer a tactical shift to a single forward role.
Planned changes and availability
Navarro is expected to make four starting lineup changes. Keidi Bare and Larios return after serving suspension. El Yamiq is back from a three-match layoff with a hamstring problem. Saidu will start in midfield following a strong showing against Deportivo.
Radovanovic serves a suspension. Gomes is with the Spain U18s and also misses this round. Valery, Tachi, Guti and Paul remain injured. Navarro has 25 available players and must drop two.
Attack and formation
Until now, Navarro favored two strikers. Kenan Kodro and Dani Gómez began the three matches under his charge. Late substitutions had altered the shape.
Against Cádiz and Almería, and in the second half at Riazor, Rober González moved into a playmaker role. That change created space for Dani Gómez as a lone striker. Expect a similar approach on Sunday.
Who moves where
Keidi Bare is a must if fit, says the coaching team. His presence likely sidelines Mawuli. Francho will shift to the right wing in that case.
On the left, Hugo Pínilla is the frontrunner to keep his place. Marcos Cuenca remains an option to provide link play. Rober can operate on the wing or as a number ten and prefers the latter position.
Goalkeeper and defense
Andrada has been the undisputed starter under the new staff. He made errors at Riazor, but he is still likely to start. Adrián Rodríguez appeared in training, but no keeper change is expected.
Larios returns at left-back. Navarro values his intensity at that spot. Tasende impressed recently, but Larios provides the defensive traits Navarro prefers.
Racing de Santander preview
Racing’s main weapons are play through interior channels and quick combinations. Key attackers include Íñigo Vicente, Andrés Martín, Villalibre and Aldasoro. Racing will try to concentrate play through the middle.
They travel to La Romareda without Gustavo Puerta, Peio Canales and Georgian winger Guliashvili. Coach José Alberto must adjust his starting eleven accordingly.
Likely matchday eleven
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Andrada |
| Right-back | Aguirregabiria |
| Center-backs | El Yamiq, Insua |
| Left-back | Larios |
| Midfield | Keidi Bare, Saidu, Francho |
| Attack | Hugo Pínilla, Rober González (10/wing), Dani Gómez |
Notes and squad management
Kenan Kodro may begin on the bench due to a niggling issue. He pushed to be available in recent weeks despite discomfort. Navarro will decide late on his inclusion.
Hugo Barrachina and Lucas Terrer will play with Aragón against Tudelano. Filmogaz.com will monitor final selections before kickoff.
Overall, the coach appears ready to enact a tactical shift in attack while reinforcing the spine of the team. The four starting lineup changes aim to balance intensity and control in midfield.
