The match of the day was the televised Saturday match between the two Madrids, Real and Atlético. Both teams have been struggling this year in the league, although both continue strongly in their respective European competitions. With a long injury list including Ilgner, Hierro, Geremi, McManaman, Savio, Anelka and Balic, Toshack was forced to put together a makeshift side, bringing back Seedorf, Guti, Michel, Iván Helguera and Bizarri in goal. Ognjenovic came straight into the squad only hours after being registered for the first team following the withdrawal of Balic (out for most of the season), and he joined Eto'o, Dorado and company on the bench. Ranieri had no such problems, and he finally opted for José Mari and Hasselbaink to lead the attack, leaving Correa and Valerón on the bench, together with Paunovic, recently recovered from a long injury, and Hugo Leal, who got his definitive transfer from Benfica this week. Argentinian cousins Redondo from Real and Solari from Atlético were on opposing sides. Atlético's president Jesus Gil was not allowed by his doctors to attend the match after a recent spell in hospital with heart problems. It looked as though Real Madrid were going to dominate the match as Morientes went close and then opened the scoring with a powerful header from Roberto Carlos's cross in the eighth minute. It was 51 years since Atleti had come back from behind in Real Madrid's stadium, but then Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink hadn't been around in the past. The Dutch international striker turned the game around almost single-handedly, and by half time Atlético were leading 1-3. Hasselbaink scored his first in the twelfth minute, taking Aguilera's pass and nutmegging Iván Campo before shooting through Bizarri's legs. Aguilera and Hasselbaink linked up on the half hour to set up José Mari for the second goal from the left, and the Dutchman added his second and his team's third eight minutes later with a strong crossed shot from outside of the area which left the Argentinian keeper stranded. Five minutes into the second half any hope of a Real Madrid comeback was cut short as Capdevila dived over Bizarri's legs just outside of the area and referee López Nieto sent off the keeper. Toshack was forced to take off Guti and put on reserve goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The home crowd waved white handkerchiefs near the end and cried for the heads of Toshack and Sanz. With this victory Atlético Madrid climb one point above Real Madrid to tenth place, and the Merengues, eight league games without a win, are now only four points from the bottom.

Savo Milosevic was unable to add to his scoring record this week, but his team Zaragoza moved up to third in the league with a 1-1 draw at Espanyol. Txetxu Rojo was able to name an unchanged team for the third week in a row with Milosevic once again accompanied by Jamelli in attack. Brindisi made one change for Espanyol, bringing back Sergio from injury in place of Toni Velamazán, who started on the bench. Toro Acuña put Zaragoza into the lead in the 32nd minute from a free kick on the edge of the area. As the defensive wall leapt into the air Acuña hit his shot hard under them along the ground, and the ball sped past the unsighted Cavallero and into the net. Brinidisi brought on Velamazán and Roger at half time for Galca and Arteaga to shore up midfield, and later replaced Tamudo with Serrano, and Zaragoza's Sundgren was carried off with a dislocated shoulder in the second half. With the game moving into injury time and Juanmi looking to extend his lead as the country's best keeper with another clean sheet, Espanyol launched a last dash attack. Cristóbal swung over a cross from the right, and there was Pochettino to head past the despairing Juanmi for the equalizer. Espanyol have now gone 12 games at home without defeat, and stay in eighth place. Their next home match in Montjuic will be a friendly against the Argentina national side on 14th November in celebration of the club's centenary.