UD Las Palmas surprised Real Zaragoza with a back line of five, including three central defenders. Maikel Mesa was making his debut in midfield alongside Galarreta and Javi Castellano. The home side were keen to take on the yellows after the last game back in 2015 between the teams which certified Las Palmas’ promotion to the top flight. La Romareda stadium was packed full of fans who came to take a look at two candidates for promotion this year.
Real Zaragoza settled down much more quickly at the start. With a more defined playing style than the yellows, they took control of midfield throughout the whole of the first half. They got in behind a disorganized yellows backline with their quick direct football. Raúl Fernández made two fine saves to keep out the home side in the 24th minute. Las Palmas, through Maikel Mesa, also came close to scoring. A fine swerving shoot by the Tenerife-born player was parried to safety by home goalkeeper Cristian Álvarez.
But Zaragoza went deservedly ahead in the 27th minute. Pombo, who was causing problems from his forward position, hit the ball against the post, and the rebound was tucked away by Álvaro to make the score 1-0. Las Palmas were under the cosh due to the home side’s quality football. Raúl Fernández was once again called into action to keep out a second home goal. Before half time, Rafa Mir mis-hit the ball when well placed to score the equalizer. The away side went in behind at half time and looking out of sorts.
Manolo Jiménez shuffled his bench for the restart. Tana came on for David García. The team had to take risks, and put in a better performance to their first half efforts. And they did. They started passing the ball around better, and in the first move of the second period Cala almost equalized with a header. The Andalusian defender straight afterwards headed against the upright.
UD Las Palmas began to up the tempo. Tana moved into a more forward position and upset Zaragoza. Now it was Las Palmas who were enjoying all the posession , but they had to take care in defence as the home side were looking to hit them on the break and put the game beyond their reach. The equalizer arrived in the 64th minute. A well taken free kick by Álvaro Lemos was headed firmly home by Rafa Mir (1-1). Las Palmas’ superiority was now clearly evident. Two headed attempts by lanky striker Pekhart went close to scoring. His first effort was blocked by the home goalkeeper, and the second went just wide. Once more he was called into action to turn aside a shot from an acute angle by Rubén Castro. Las Palmas could have scored the winner in the last few minutes, but had to settle for a draw in the end.
