Real Madrid 0 - Valladolid 1

Real Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado (Morientes 46'), Iván Campo, Karanka, Roberto Carlos; McManaman, Redondo, Iván Helguera, Savio (Baljic 56'); Raúl, Anelka (Hierro 70'). 4-4-2.
Valladolid: Ricardo; Torres Gómez, Santamaría, Turiel, Marcos; Márquez, Peña, Vizcaino (Caminero 65'), Eusebio; Shoji Jo (Isailovic 73'), Víctor. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Madrid: Salgado for Geremi / Valladolid: Ricardo, Turiel, Márquez, Vizcaino, Eusebio for César, Heinze, Caminero, García Calvo, Rodrigo.

Goals:
0-1. 22. Víctor. Took long pass from Eusebio and shot over Casillas into net.

Real Madrid's possibilities of playing the Champions League next season took a turn for the worse after they lost at home for the third match in a row. The result leaves them down in fifth place, and they now have to win this year's final on Wednesday night to be in the competition next year, otherwise they will have to make do with the UEFA cup. To add to their troubles, club captain Fernando Hierro, who came on as substitute in this match after a long time out, ruled himself out of the final after suffering a recurrence of his knee injury, and attacking midfielder Savio also picked up an injury to his left knee and is doubtful for the match against Valencia. Michel Salgado and Anelka also suffered from knocks and were substituted during the game, although both are expected to be fit. Manager Vicente Del Bosque decided to play with his best available side, with Salgado coming in for Geremi at right back. Morientes howeverwas not fully fit, and Del Bosque's original idea to play his 'trident' of Raúl, Anelka and Morientes fell through, with Savio keeping his place on the left of midfield and Morientes on the bench. Valladolid manager Gregorio Manzano was forced to make five changes, with Rodrigo and Heinze suspended and García Calvo and Alberto injured, and Caminero not fully fit. There was also a change in goal, with reserve keeper Ricardo (formerly with Atlético Madrid) coming in for César, who will be joining Real Madrid next season, and who decided on the advice of his manager not to play in this game. As it was, Ricardo was the man of the match, and although a new keeper, Albacete's Julio Iglesias (not the singer of course, although he did play for Real Madrid B many years ago) has been signed, Ricardo staked his claim for the jersey next season as he helped his team to rise to eighth in the league. He saved efforts from Anelka, Roberto Carlos and Savio in the first half, and another shot from Anelka brushed the post. It was the visiting side who took the lead however in their first real attack, with Eusebio putting through a superb long pass from his own half which put Víctor past the offside trap and away. Manzano had told him not to try to lob Casillas as the young keeper stops everything, but Víctor saw an opening and struck a looping shot way over his head and down into the far side of the net. It was a killer blow and left Madrid reeling, especially as with Celta, Zaragoza and Bilbao winning against Barcelona, Valencia and Alavés at that time, they could have been up to third if they could have taken the lead. At half time Del Bosque risked putting on Morientes for the limping Salgado, and within three minutes Ricardo was diving at his feet. Madrid moved up a gear, but Ricardo was a wall, stopping further shots from Morientes and Roberto Carlos, and the Brazilian full back thundered a free kick against the cross bar with Ricardo finally beaten. The injuries were taking their toll, and the entry of Baljic and Hierro forced Del Bosque to change his formation around. Hierro did not look comfortable, but he did manage to force another good save out the visiting keeper five minutes from the end. In the last few minutes Madrid seemed to have given up, and Isailovic could have increased Valladolid's lead, but he put his shot wide. The home fans booed their players as they left the field dejected, but they have to pick themselves up for Wednesday's match. Del Bosque has apparently been confirmed as manager for next season, but his future surely depends on whether they win that game or not. Even if they do president Lorenzo Sanz may decide to bring in a man with more charisma. Del Bosque is a good technical man, respected by the players, but he is introverted and does not handle all aspects of the game with confidence. Celta's Víctor Fernández has already been linked with the position, and his success at Zaragoza and Celta has been impressive in his relatively short career. If a replacement does come in, (and remember Heynckes was fired after winning the Champions League two years ago) Del Bosque will probably move back to the technical staff, a good man to have in reserve for an emergency.