Zaragoza weighs up wear on Ibai’s ‘ever-present’ quartet

At Real Zaragoza, Ibai Gómez has an “ever-present” quartet that usually shows up in the starting XI plan for the pre-match talk. As Sport reports, Sem Westerveld, Ander Herrera, and forwards Pau Sans and Joaquín Delgado have been the most consistent names across the first three Primera RFEF matchdays.

Possible changes vs Cartagena

Ibai’s own comments fit what could be coming. “We’ll see whether we regulate loads with any player or not,” he said on Friday, according to Sport. The concern is workload management: this week’s plan may reduce minutes for those who arrive with warnings or knocks.

Herrera is the main case. Sport adds that he could be rested after finishing the match against Juventud with a thigh problem, even though he trained “in theory” normally during the week. In the first three starts, Sport notes he only completed one match in the XI—against Antequera—while also suggesting his condition may justify a pause from the start line-up.

From fixed XI to tactical tweaks

Pau Sans continues as the forward role Ibai has leaned on, but Sport highlights a key point: he still hasn’t scored, despite being handed the more settled role and being the top scorer in pre-season with three goals after returning from a loan spell at KS Cracovia. The coach considers him capable of causing problems in the league, yet a tactical reshaping could affect his starting position.

Westerveld and Joaquín Delgado are, for now, the clearest “intouchables” in terms of minutes. Sport says they are the only two who played every minute in all three matches: Westerveld started against Nástic, Antequera and Juventud and was crucial to keep the clean sheet vs Antequera, while Joaquín Delgado also started all three and did not come off after kick-off.

Sport also points to internal competition: Edu Espiau returned after a calf issue and had scored vs Antequera, while Rubén Díez could be an option if Herrera is rested. Overall, the message is clear—Zaragoza may shorten the quartet this week by managing loads ahead of Cartagena.