The 1995-96 campaign delivered a turbulent transitional season for Real Zaragoza as Los Maños finished a disappointing 13th in La Liga. The incumbent Cup Winners' Cup champions, under manager Víctor Fernández, struggled domestically and were soundly defeated by Ajax in the two-legged UEFA Super Cup final, marking an early low point. The club's brightest light was the emerging young striker Fernando Morientes, who notched a total of 18 goals across all competitions, including 13 in the league and a memorable hat-trick against Valencia CF, confirming his status as the side's top scorer in a season of missed European and domestic cup ambition.