Sevilla 2 - Atlético de Madrid 1

Sevilla: Valencia; Marchena, Hibic, Héctor, Nando; Francisco, Quevedo, Tsartas, Jesuli; Zalayeta, Juan Carlos. 4-4-2.
Atlético: Molina; Aguilera, Chamot, Ayala, Capdevila; Bejbl, Njegus, Hugo Leal, Valerón; Paunovic; Hasselbaink. 4-4-1-1.

Bottom club Sevilla finally recorded their third win of the season against an Atlético de Madrid side surrounded by controversy following the destitution of Jesus Gil and his board of directors by the Spanish courts (see report last week for details). The sports papers have been full all week with accusations and counter-accusations from all sides, and Ranieri and his players have come out strongly in favour of the Gil family, threatening to make their protests public if they are not reinstated. The charges against Gil are however damning, and despite damage limitation exercises, with for example photos in Atlético kit of the four players transferred from Gil's private company to the club for exaggerated prices, there appears to be no way back for them. Luis Manuel Rubí, the legal administrator appointed by the courts as new president, has issued statements that the club will not be relegated automatically to the second division, and that there is money available to sign new players and keep the team afloat, but the general atmosphere is bad and players such as Baraja are refusing to sign new contracts. Meanwhile Ranieri keeps on looking for the magic formula to give his side the results he needs. With Gamarra and Gaspar injured, Chamot kept his place alongside Ayala in the centre of defence, with Aguilera returning at right back. Correa and Solari were left out of the squad, with Paunovic coming in for Correa behind Hasselbaink, alone up front. Lardín joined the squad for the first time in over 3 months, starting the match on the bench. Marcos Alonso played a more attacking line up, with Zalayeta joining Juan Carlos up front, and Hibic returning in defence. Prieto and Tabaré were left out of the starting line up. Sevilla showed their intentions early on when a Tsartas volley hit the post, and it was no surprise when they took the lead halfway through the half, Juan Carlos heading past Molina after a good cross from Jesuli. Ten miutes later Zalayeta scored his second goal in two games, taking a pass from Tsartas and dribbling round Molina before shooting into an empty net. Ranieri made two changes at half time, bringing on Santi for Njegus and Kiko for Paunovic, and a few minutes later put on Lardín for Aguilera. Their game improved, and they pulled one back through Hasselbaink after Nando had gifted him the ball. They could not however get the one that mattered, and they sank to another defeat that leaves them with in seventeenth place, only out of the relegation spots thanks to a better goal average over Oviedo. Sevilla stay bottom, but their victory at least gives them some hope of turning things around.

Real Madrid vs Betis (Postponed until 26th January)

With Real Madrid playing in the club world championship, this match was postponed. The final date appears to be set for the 26th of this month, although both clubs are complaining as they will be without several internationals, given that Spain are playing Poland on the same date, and others will be missing for the African nations cup and the pre-Olympic tournament.