Betis 2 - Barcelona 1

Betis: Prats; Crosa, Bornes, Vidakovic, Filipescu; Merino, Karhan, Ito; Alfonso, Oli, Denilson. 4-3-3.
Barcelona: Arnau; Abelardo, Bogarde; Reiziger, Xavi, Zenden; Luis Enrique, Cocu; Figo, Kluivert, Rivaldo. 2-3-2-3.

Team changes: Betis: Vidakovic, Ito for Otero, Cañas / Barcelona: Bogarde, Luis Enrique, Figo for Puyol, Litmanen, Simao.

Goals:
1-0. 07. Ito. Following up after Denilson corner only partly cleared by Bogarde.
2-0. 79. Alfonso. Took back-heeled pass from Cuéllar and rounded Bogarde.
2-1. 86. Kluivert. Shot in off crossbar after Prats mistake.

Barcelona lost their second league match in a row, this time to Guus Hiddink's new charge Real Betis, who played almost all the second half with ten men following the controversial sending off of midfielder Karhan by referee Mejuto González. Incredibly, Betis had not won against Barcelona in their own stadium for 18 years, and Hiddink is already being hailed as a saviour, possibly a bit prematurely as they are still only three points away from the drop zone. Hiddink started off with an attacking line up, playing a 4-3-3 with Alfonso and Denilson on the wings and Oli in the centre, although this changed after the sending off, with Gálvez replacing Oli and later Cuéllar substituting Denilson, and Alfonso playing alone up front. Van Gaal brought in Bogarde and Luis Enrique after their success in the cup mid-week, moving Reiziger out to right back in place of Puyol. After an early goal from Betis, Barcelona came forward, with Figo hitting the post and Prats making a string of good saves. Van Gaal's tactics became more and more offensive as the game wore on, with Ronald De Boer replacing Xavi after the sending off, then Dani replacing Abelardo and finally Litmanen coming on for Cocu. With no less than six forwards on the park it looked like a draw was on the cards, especially whrn Kluivert headed against the bar in the 77th minute. However a minute later Van Gaal's risky tactics backfired, with Betis catching the visitors on the counter attack, and a moment of genius from Alfonso after a clever back heel by ex Barça player Cuéllar left Bogarde sitting on his backside, and Barcelona were two down. Although they got one back near the end after Prats blotted an otherwise perfect copybook, it was too late, and Betis took the much needed three points. Finidi returns this week to Betis after African cup duties, and the prospects of a Finidi - Alfonso - Denilson attack is mouth-watering. For Barcelona, Cocu and Zenden picked up fifth yellow cards and will miss the next match. The team faltered, and the worse for them is that Real Madrid are only two points behind with a game in hand. A busy week lies ahead for both before the two meet in two weeks time. The air-shuttle is warming up motors to transport the 'crisis' to the losers. Funny game football.

Real Madrid 1 - Málaga 0

Real Madrid: Casillas; Karembeu, Karanka, Hierro, Roberto Carlos; McManaman, Sanchis, Redondo, Guti; Raúl, Meca. 4-4-2.
Málaga: Contreras; Rojas, Larrainzar, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce; Rufete, De los Santos, Movilla, Agostinho; Edgar, Catanha. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Madrid: Karembeu, McManaman, Meca for Salgado, Helguera, Morientes / Málaga: Larrainzar for Bravo.

Goals:
1-0. 48. Zárate. Substitute dribbled past three players and shot into top of net.

Real Madrid kept up their push on the top teams with a narrow victory against a Málaga side which included seven ex Madrid players in their starting line up, including Fernando Sanz, son of the Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz. The visitors were unlucky to go away without a point however, and in a similar match to their midweek cup tie with Mérida, Real Madrid took advantage of their opponents failure to get the ball in the net to take the victory. As in that match, the only goal was scored by the B team forward Zárate, who came on as substitute just before half time in place of the injured Raúl, who pulled a muscle. Madrid are paying the price for the high number of matches they are playing this season, and with Raúl now sure to miss next Tuesday's game with Valladolid, Anelka and Savio with serious injuries and Morientes also doubtful, they may have to go in to that match without any first team forwards. In this match Zárate, one of five Argentinian brothers who all played for Vélez Sarsfield, joined his B team colleague Meca, with Ognjenovic also coming on for the second half in place of Sanchis. Another B team midfielder Zafra was on the bench for the first time alongside Dorado, (God knows who is playing for Real Madrid B these days!). Casillas kept his place in goal despite the return to the bench of Illgner after his long injury, and he made some good stops including a fine save from Movilla in the first half. McManaman, playing one of his best games of the season, was also called upon for defensive duties, and he cleared a header from Sanz off the line just before half time. Málaga's striker Catanha was once again off form, missing a couple of opportunities near the end. He has now gone five games without a goal, and may not now make it to Camacho's Spanish squad for the next friendly after being tipped for a first cap following his nationalisation this month. Playing on Saturday night, Madrid moved up temporarily to fourth place in the league. Málaga are in the second half of the table, and with teams so close this year they must watch out if they are not to return to the second division again next year.