Real Sociedad 1 - Real Madrid 4

Real Sociedad: Alberto; Fuentes, Gurrutxaga, Pikabea, Aranzábal; Jauregui, Aranburu; Khokhlov (Gabilondo 57'), Idiakez, De Pedro (De Paula 57'); Jankauskas. 4-2-3-1.
Real Madrid: Casillas; Geremi, Karanka, Hierro, Roberto Carlos (Solari 55'); Makelele (Sanchís 77'), Iván Helguera; Figo, Guti (Morientes 70'), Savio; Raúl.
4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Real Sociedad: Alberto, Khokhlov, De Pedro, Jankauskas for Asper, Collet, López Rekarte, De Paula / Madrid: Iván Helguera, Savio for Celades, Munitis.

Goals:
0-1. 13. Guti. From close range after cross from Savio on left.
0-2. 42. Hierro (penalty). After Gurrutxaga brought down Guti.
0-3. 46. Figo. Screaming shot into top corner of net from right of area.
0-4. 62. Savio. Took cross from Guti and his shot deflected off Pikabea into net.
1-4. 77. Jankauskas. From goal area after De Paula crossed from right.

A change of manager and a change of goalkeeper at Real Sociedad, but the same old result. Real Madrid helped themselves to the three points and second place in the league before new boss Periko Alonso knew what had hit him, with Guti confirming once again that he is the most on form player in Spain at the moment. Alonso had taken over after the sacking of Javier Clemente, removed from his post after his side's poor recent performances, including letting in ten goals in the last two games. With little time to work on anything, the manager made four immediate changes, the most significant of which was the return of a Basque keeper, Alberto, to mind the net, and also local hero De Pedro in midfield. Jankauskas also returned after an injury. Real Madrid manager Vicente Del Bosque decided to keep Guti behind Raúl, leaving Morientes once again on the bench. Celades was injured again, and Iván Helguera returned in his place.

After Khoklov put a good chance wide, Guti opened the scoring with a first time shot, ably assisted by Savio who won the ball back on the left and laid it into his path. On the half hour mark Geremi headed a Figo corner down against the far post, and before half time the visitors were two up, Guti again the key when Gurrutxaga pulled him down in the area. This time there was no question who would take the kick, Hierro stamping his authority and putting it low wide of the keeper. Just after the interval it was Figo's turn, controlling the ball outside of the area and, without looking up, shooting into the top corner of Alberto's net for his first league goal with his new team.

Alonso decided that two of his changes, Khokhlov and De Pedro weren't working and he brought on Gabilondo and De Paula, but nothing changed. Guti made a run down the left wing and pulled it back, returning the compliment to Savio, who's shot hit Pikabea and beat Alberto. Finally the home side got their act together, and Casillas made two first class saves from De Paula and Jankauskas. In the end however Jankauskas got the consolation goal they deserved after a good run down the right by De Paula. The defeat leaves the San Sebastian side next to bottom in the league, and Alonso has a lot of work to do. At least they have now got through the gauntlet of Deportivo, Barcelona and Madrid, but the next test is back to back local derbies with Alavés and Bilbao. Madrid get their first away win of the league, and are now only two points behind Valencia. A decisive week lies ahead.