Valencia 1 - Real Madrid 1

Valencia: Cañizares; Gerardo, Djukic, Pellegrino, Carboni; Farinós, Milla, Gerard, Kily González; Ilie, Piojo López. 4-4-2.
Real Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Karanka, Iván Campo, Dorado; McManaman, Iván Helguera, Hierro, Geremi; Guti;Zárate. 4-4-1-1.

Team changes: Valencia: Gerardo, Gerard for Angloma, Mendieta / Real Madrid: Iván Campo, Dorado, Geremi, Zárate for Redondo, Roberto Carlos, Ognjenovic, Morientes.

Goals:
1-0. 35. Ilie. Ball laid back by Piojo who glided round Casillas on the right.
1-1. 58. Guti. Left foot shot from edge of area after rounding defender.

Valencia's Mestalla stadium sold out for the first time in a year to see this clash of generations, with Valencia's veteran defence of over 30's coming up against Real Madrid's super-babes. A string of injuries to Madrid's first team players, mainly due to the excessive number of games they are being forced to play, has left Del Bosque's side without any recognised strikers, with Anelka, Savio and Balic out for several weeks, and Raúl and Morientes joining the injury list recently with niggling muscle injuries. Their two B team players, Zárate and Meca, have taken their opportunities recently, and both look like staying with the first team for the rest of the season. Zárate has scored three vital goals in three games as substitute, and he was given a place in the starting line up as a reward for his efforts, with Guti playing as an improvised forward in the slot behind him. Geremi finally returned from international duty with Cameroon, and although nursing a slight injury he came straight in to the side, with Hierro moving out of defence to join Helguera in the middle of the midfield with Redondo suspended. Valencia were without their suspended captain Mendieta and right back Angloma, with Gerard returning from suspension himself taking Mendieta's place. Héctor Cúper had doubts about Piojo López, suffering from flu all week, but in the end he started the match, and it was his run on the half hour which lead to the first goal, taking the ball around an advancing Casillas and crossing into the goalmouth for Ilie to score from close range. Del Bosque went for broke at half time, taking off McManaman and young left back Dorado, who was replacing the suspended Roberto Carlos (by the time of the match well on his way to Thailand for Brazil's match there midweek), and replacing them with two forwards, Meca and another youngster David Aganzo, who was making his debut. The move revaltilized Madrid, and within twelve minutes they were level, Guti proving that he can play up front with a well taken goal, his third in only a few games. The Valencia crowd started to get on Cúper's back, thinking that he could have done more to win the game, and there were whistles all round when he replaced Piojo with Juan Sánchez near the end, with chants of 'Cúper, vete ya' (Cúper out now). This was probably unfair, with Valencia still only ninth, just three points behind a UEFA cup spot, and doing very well in the champions league. However the crowd remember the heady days of Claudio Ranieri, and Cúper's defensive and more controlled style is at times dull to watch. Meanwhile Real Madrid continue their attack on the leaders, and although they dropped points today, they are still in fourth, just a point behind second placed Barcelona, who visit the Bernabeu stadium next Saturday. Already the papers are full of news about the match, with great controversy once again about the number of internationals who are playing friendlies for their national sides only three days before. Rivaldo will be joining Robert Carlos in Thailand, and neither is realistically expected to make back in any fit state to play. Holland have called up seven players from Barcelona, and Camacho has called up Hierro, Abelardo and Luis Enrique (now injured) for the full squad and Puyol, Xavi and Casillas for the under 21 side. Others such as McManaman and Figo will also be making long journeys. Anybody want a game?

Mallorca 1 - Celta 0

Mallorca: Leo Franco; Olaizola, Nadal, Siviero, Miguel Soler; Armando, Chichi Soler, Engonga, Serrizuela; Stankovic; Diego Tristán. 4-4-1-1.
Celta: Pinto; Velasco, Cáceres, Djorovic, Sergio; Makelele, Celades; Karpin, Mostovoi, Gustavo López; Hoogendorp. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Mallorca: Stankovic for Carlos / Celta: Djorovic, Celades, Mostovoi, Hoogendorp for Vivas, Giovanella, Revivo, McCarthy.

Goals:
1-0. 93. Diego Tristán. Went round keeper after pass from substitute Eto'o.

Diego Tristán once again proved Mallorca's saviour, scoring his fourth in five games, this time in the third minute of injury time when many of the crowd were already at home preparing their bratwurst and chips. Local press have calculated that Tristán's thirteen goals have brought no less than 18 points to his side this season, half of their total to date, and it was no surprise that scouts from Manchester United were at the game. Mallorca's injury problems are at last easing, with Stankovic finally returning to the side after eleven matches, and Lauren and Eto'o returning from the Africa cup where they were crowned champions with Cameroon (although Lauren missed this match with flu). Celta also saw the return of a couple of old faces, with Djorovic apologising to Víctor Fernández and winning his place back in the centre of defence, and Mazinho returning to the bench after his bust up with the manager. They still have problems up front however, and with Turdó and Revivo injured and McCarthy playing for his country, Hoogendorp was given a chance in the centre forward spot, with reserve team striker Mena on the bench. The Dutchman didn't shine however, missing an easy chance in the first half and being substituted by Belmadi later on, and Celta will probably have to look elsewhere for a reliable striker for next season. Leo Franco kept out Celta in the first half, with stops on two occasions from Gustavo López and once from Segio. Tristán was the only Mallorca forward showing any real danger, and a shot of his hit the post halfway through the second half. Vázquez brought on his new signing from Real Madrid ,Eto'o, to give more support to Tristán, and in the 93rd minute he robbed a ball off Mazinho, who had just replaced Karpin, and put the striker through. Tristán rounded his ex Betis team mate Pinto and steered the ball into the empty net. The whistle blew seconds later and Mallorca fans celebrated, their team moving up to within two points and one place of today's rivals, who drop to sixth.