Numancia vs Real Zaragoza: Final Preseason Match
Listen to the story
Real Zaragoza finished their preseason with a match against Numancia.
Preseason is the period before the official season begins.
Teams use it to prepare and try out different players.
For this final match, Real Zaragoza made many changes to their lineup.
This means the coach used many different players during the game.
It gave the coach a chance to see how different combinations worked.
Coach Lolo Escobar spoke about the team's new signings.
He explained that the club had looked for players with hunger.
In football, having "hunger" means a strong desire to succeed.
Escobar wants players who are motivated and hardworking.
This kind of attitude is important for a good season.
The match against Numancia was a useful test before the season starts.
Coaches often use these final games to check their squad's fitness.
They also look at how well players understand each other on the field.
Fans and journalists watched closely to see the new players in action.
The result will help Real Zaragoza plan their final preparations.
The team will now focus on getting ready for their first official match.
Preseason matches like this one are common in football before a new season starts.
Vocabulary8 words
- preseason
- time before the official season starts
- lineup
- the list of players chosen to play
- changes
- new things used instead of old ones
- signings
- new players who joined the team
- hunger
- a strong wish to succeed
- motivated
- wanting strongly to do something well
- squad
- all the players on a team
- fitness
- how healthy and strong a player's body is
Quiz
Answer key
1. The final preseason match 2. To try different players before the season starts 3. Players with hunger to succeed
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Real Zaragoza finished their _____ with a match against Numancia.
For this final match, Real Zaragoza made many changes to their _____.
This means the coach used many different _____ during the game.
Coach Lolo Escobar spoke about the team's new _____.
He explained that the club had looked for players with _____.
Escobar wants players who are _____ and hardworking.
Coaches often use these final games to check their squad's _____.
The team will now focus on getting ready for their first official _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do football teams play preseason matches before the real season starts?
- What do you think makes a player "hungry" to succeed in sports?
- How important is it for a coach to try different players before a season begins?
- Have you ever watched a preseason match? What was it like?