Málaga 0 - Racing 0

Málaga: Contreras; Larrainzar, Bravo, Fernando Sanz (Roteta 79'), Valcarce; Ruano (Agostinho 55'), Movilla, De los Santos (Musampa 75'), Sandro; Darío Silva, Catanha. 4-4-2.
Racing: Ceballos; Tais, Txema, Arzeno, Mellberg; Manjarín, Ismael, Espina, Caco Morán; Salva, Rushfeldt. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Málaga: Ruano, Darío Silva for Rufete, Musampa / Racing: Mellberg, Ismael, Caco Morán, Rushfeldt for Sietes, Colsa, Vivar Dorado, Munitis.

Goals: None.

It was billed as the battle of the Pichichis. The league's top scorer Salva came up against the second best Catanha, with the Brazilian needing three to catch his Spanish rival. Maybe both had their mind on other matters, with Monaco claiming to have won the race to sign the Racing striker and Catanha being courted by half the clubs in Europe including Real Madrid, but in the end neither added to their tally as the game petered out to a scoreless draw. Neither team had much to play for, although Málaga still had illusions of qualifying for the Intertoto cup if Mallorca pull out as expected, and to do so they had to at least finish in twelfth place. Their manager Joaquín Peiró was missing his Spanish full and under 21 internationals Rufete and Luque, both suspended, but had Darío Silva back in attack after his one match suspension. He did have one surprise on the bench however, with Ghana's Awuwl Quaye entering the squad for the first time since being signed from Germany in midseason. Racing had secured their place in the first division for next season a few days ago, and their manager Gustavo Benítez decided he could afford the luxury of resting his best player, Munitis, who is almost certain to be called up by Camacho for the Euro 2000 squad next week. Rushfeldt took his place up front alongside Salva. Mellberg returned in defence after a one match ban, replacing the not fully fit Sietes who stayed on the bench alongside Vivar Dorado. Both sides created chances in the first half, with Salva and Catanha going close a couple of times each, and the Racing striker also helped out in defensive duties, clearing a header from De los Santos off the line. Shortly after the interval referee Turienzo Alvarez sent off Txema for a second bookable offence, and from that time on Racing closed ranks, hardly venturing out of their own half for the rest of the match. Catanha tested Ceballos a couple of times, and Valcarce fired off a screamer near the end which grazed the cross bar. In the last minute Turienzo reduced Racing to nine men, sending off keeper Ceballos for handling outside of the area. With three substitutes already on the park, Neru, Shustikov and Bestnottomentionhisnameagain, Tais took over in goal for the last few moments of the match, but Málaga were not going to score. In the end they achieved their objective though, finishing in twelfth place, and they now await news from Mallorca to see whether they have to come back from their holidays early. Their season has not finished yet however. On Saturday they play a friendly against Farense in Faro, Portugal, and they will complete a brief tour of that country before taking their leave. Peiró's job in the next few weeks is to keep his squad together, with Rufete due to sign for Atlético Madrid and Valcarce probably going to Valencia. If Catanha leaves as well, they would like to sign Mallorca's Eto'o, currently on loan from Real Madrid with whom the South coast team have close links. Benítez will have similar problems, with Munitis getting close to signing for Valencia and Salva also attracting interest from Deportivo as well as Monaco. In a few days time we will be opening our transfer pages again, so you can keep up to date with the latest news. Don't go away just yet......