C.D. Leganés came away from La Romareda with a convincing result against in-form Real Zaragoza (0-2) to make it a second consecutive victory on the road. Randjelovic, in the first half, and then Shibasaki, in the second, were the names on Mehdi Nafti's goalsheet whose efforts will deliver Leganés a necessary three points to move out of the relegation zone.
Mehdi Nafti's lineup looked very similar to the eleven that had kicked off against Real Oviedo: the only change being Gaku Shibasaki's reintroduction to the midfield after his internation break in Randjelović's place, who occupied the bench to start. Javi Hernández was the first Pepinero to stir the pot at La Romareda, breaking forward only for Álvarez to halt the effort with a strong one-handed palm. Fede Vico's injury trouble then forced his substitution in the 11' for Randjelović.
Super substitute Randjelovic scores the opener
With only three minutes on the pitch, the Serbian did not miss the chance to open Lega's account in Aragon, chasing down a weak back pass to press Álvarez and force the ball home to make it 0-1. The ex-Olympiacos man had three goals this season, the most recent sending Lega into the break one up.
Leganés appeared secure, with Borja Garcés pressing the Zaragozan backline hard to force turnovers, generating a few corners in the process. In the 34', Arnaiz managed to run in behind the defense but did not have the momentum to keep possession from the home side and convert the chance.
Con apenas tres minutos sobre el césped, el serbio iba a adelantar a su equipo en el marcador: Lazar aprovechaba una cesión de Nieto para presionar a Álvarez y batirle tras un rechace. Era el tercer tanto del ex de Olympiacos en lo que llevamos de temporada y el 0-1 para el Lega.
Shibasaki doubles the lead with a rocket
The locals were hunting relentlessly for an equaliser as the second 45 got underway, with Álvaro Giménez testing Riesgo in the 47'. Arnaiz kept up the Pepinero pressure on goal with a lofted ball in the 56', which was cleared, but built up the attacking confidence to press further in the 65'. It was then that Pardo supplied Gaku on the edge of the box, rolling the pass gently across for the Japanese player to slam into the far left corner, grazing the woodwork: his second goal of the seaon and second from outside the box.
Mehdi refreshed the Blanquiazul eleven with a double change in the 69' of Luis Perea and Merino for Shibasaki and Borja Garcés. Lega looked securer at the back than in recent weeks, comfortable in possession and confident in distributing the ball forwards. Quintillà, recovered after weeks of injury, made his return to the pitch in the 81' together with Arnaiz and Rubén Pardo soon after. All the substitutes worked hard to suppress the Maño threat and defeat a Zaragoza on a streak of three consecutive wins and thirteen unbeaten games this season.
The final whistle sealed a second consecutive away win for Leganés, who find themselves with 18 points in the table. Their next match will be this Sunday at 14:00 (CET) at the Butarque against U.D. Las Palmas.
