The Valladolid board suspended Croatian striker Peternac until his contract has been sorted out, only a few days after he was fined for being overweight. New signing Congo played up front with Victor, Rodrigo replaced the suspended Caminero and keeper César returned to the side after agreeing to join Real Madrid next season. Athletic Bilbao were without defender Roberto Rios, who was injured, and played with three forwards. After losing last week, Valladolid were keen to get a result, and a good performance saw them run out 1-0 winners against the Basques. Victor headed the only goal of the match early in the first half, and Rodrigo was sent off for a second yellow card in the last minutes of the match.

Old rockers never die, and the oldest of them all is Julio Salinas. He came off the subs bench for Alavés against Málaga to turn defeat into victory. Catanha scored for the Andalusian side in a bizarre incident after 9 minutes when a clearance from Téllez hit the striker on the chest and ricocheted past keeper Herrera and in to the net. Alavés were gob-smacked, but manager Mané brought on his secret weapon in the second half, and the veteran striker scored twice from close range to wrap up the match 2-1, firstly reacting fastest to a loose ball after Contreras had parried Nan Ribera's shot, then heading in Pablo's cross.

There will now be a two week break for the Europe 2000 qualifying matches to take place. Teams such as Barcelona, who will be supplying 16 players, will hope that no-one returns injured.