Valencia 1 - Espanyol 2

Valencia: Cañizares; Gerardo, Djukic, Bjorklund, Carboni; Angulo, Gerard, Mendieta, Kily González; Ilie, Claudio López. 4-4-2.
Espanyol: Mora; Cristóbal, Nando, Pochettino, Toledo; Velamazán, Galca, Sergio, Arteaga; Benítez, Tamudo. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Valencia: Kily for Farinós / Artega, Benítez for Navas, Serrano.

Goals:
0-1. 15. Benítez. Following up Tamudo's shot, which Cañizares dropped.
1-1. 30. Kily González. Long pass from Mendieta turned across goal by Ilie.
1-2. 51. Arteaga. Received pass from Tamudo and ran through defence.

Much speculation before the match that Espanyol's caretaker manager Paco Flores would change the side, especially after leaving out several foreign players in their midweek cup victory against Celta, but in the end he only made two alterations from Brinidisi's last line up, preferring club captain Arteaga and Paraguayan world cup star Benítez for Argentina's Navas and home grown Serrano. Whatever he did or said, it worked, as they once again proved the old adage that a change in manager brings a change in results, with both players brought in by Flores scoring the goals, and Espanyol dominating the match against a poor Valencia side. The Catalans have made their change and Valencia have yet to make theirs, although on this showing it will not be long in coming. Reported bust ups in the changing room between manager Héctor Cúper and players, and in particular with his fellow countryman Claudio López, are starting to have their effect on results, and after recovering from a bad start to the season to climb to the top six, they now have only taken three points from the last five matches. Cúper was expected to leave López on the bench, and although he was eventually included in the starting eleven, he was replaced at half time by Juan Sánchez. He was not the first to go however, with Cúper controversially pulling off new signing Gerardo before the first half hour was up, bringing on Oscar García, (who's brother Roger came on as substitute for the visiting side). That change at least worked, with his side sweeping down the field a minute later to equalise the earlier goal by Benítez, who had seized on an elementary error by keeper Cañizares. It did not last however, and after Espanyol went back in front after the break the 'Ché's' seemed to disappear from sight, with Espanyol much the more likely to score. Rumours abounded after the match that even Valencia president Pedro Cortés might resign, and the board went into a huddle, eventually reconvening for Monday night. Italian born manager Nevio Scala was significantly watching the match from the stands: maybe he will be a bit closer to the pitch by next week.

Atlético de Madrid 1 - Real Sociedad 1

Atlético: Molina; Gaspar, Gamarra, Santi, Capdevila; Aguilera, Bejbl, Hugo Leal, Solari; Kiko, Hasselbaink. 4-4-2.
Real Sociedad: Alberto; Rekarte, Gurrutxaga, Fuentes, Pikabea, Aranzábal; Gómez, Guerrero, Khokhlov, Sa Pinto; Jankauskas. 5-4-1.

Team changes: Atlético: Santi for Ayala / Gurrutxaga, Fuentes, Gómez, Jankauskas for Loren, Llorente, Aranburu, Bonilla.

Goals:
1-0. 20. Hasselbaink. Short free kick from Leal which Hasselbaink struck well.
1-1. 61. Jankauskas. Got a toe to a headed pass to steer past Molina.

Yet another demonstration by Atlético fans before this match against the legal administration of the club, but the court case trundles on. This week bail was eventually set for ex president Jesus Gil at 125 million Pesetas, with his son, ex managing director Miguel Angel Gil and former partner Enrique Cerezo having to put up 50 million each. The players and manager are starting to get restless, and one rat has already left the sinking ship, with Chamot going to Milan for 600 million plus a testimonial match (sorry, it's a Spanish expression that when a ship sinks, the rats are the first to leave - not meant to insult anyone). Ranieri and Kiko have already said they too will probably go at the end of the season, and others will probably follow if the case is still going on by then. The idea is that once the investigation is over a new owner will be found, although candidates are not exactly jumping forward. At the time the club became a limited company, the Gil family were the only ones interested and they pulled the club out of the fire. It remains to be seen how they did it. On the field of play referee Díaz Vega was the main protagonist, sending off first Gurrutxaga in the 63rd minute for two yellow cards (the youngster who was making his debut was provoked by elbows in the ribs by Hasselbaink, and left the field in tears), and then Pikabea with a direct red five minutes from time for bringing down Hasselbaink after he had broken free. The international referee showed ten cards in all and wins our white stick award of the week (see our stats page). Hasselbaink was once again Atlético's star, and his goal from Hugo Leal's short free kick was struck with venom from 25 yards out (measured at 120 kph), a wicked bend catching keeper Alberto completely off balance. Real's manager Javier Clemente went for broke at half time (well, in his case a small overdraft), putting on two forwards De Paula and Idiakez for defenders Rekarte and Guerrero, joining new signing Jankauskas who was making his debut. The move worked, and Jankauskas got his foot to a headed pass to push the ball past Spain's first choice keeper Molina. After Gurrutxaga's sending off Clemente went back into his cave, bringing on defender Antía for Sa Pinto, and Ranieri, scenting blood, replaced Gaspar, Aguilera and Solari with more attacking players Valerón, Njegus and Roberto. Alberto was in too good form however in the Real goal, and Atlético were impotent in front of goal. In the end the points were shared, which didn't really suit anyone. Atlético slip to 15th, two points above the relegation zone and three above their rivals, who fall to next to bottom.