Numancia 2 - Alavés 1

Numancia: Alvaro Nuñez; Iñaki (Soria 78'), Jaume, Culebras, Manel; Nagore, Pacheta; José Manuel (Iván Perez 50'); Rosu (Octavio 60'), Caco Morán; Ojeda. 4-2-3-1.
Alavés: Kike (Herrera 30'); Raúl Gañan (Magno 46'), Sarriegi, Karmona, Téllez, Brandán; Azkoitia, Tomic (Mario 60'), Ibon Begoña; Vucko, Javi Moreno. 5-3-2.

Team changes: Numancia: Jaume, Manel, Caco Morán for Antía, David Pirri, Rubén Navarro / Alavés: Raúl Gañan, Téllez, Brandán, Ibon Begoña, Vucko for Geli, Desio, Astudillo, Jordi Cruyff, Magno.

Goals:
1-0. 18. Jaume. Headed in past keeper from corner taken by Rosu on right.
1-1. 76. Javi Moreno. Took pass from Mario and beat keeper with low shot.
2-1. 77. Iván Pérez. Following up after Caco Morán header saved by keeper.

Numaqncia said "adios" to the first division after two seasons at the top flight in a festival atmosphere in the Pajaritos stadium. Unlike the hostile scenes at Santander, a capacity crowd in Soria were in a good mood, appreciative of the fact that their team had put up a good fight this season despite being relegated. Before the game kicked off awards were given to the players, with a special tribute for their ex striker Javi Moreno who helped them gain promotion two years ago and who was playing for the opposition in this match. In fact the only thing at stake in this game was Moreno's challenge on Raúl and Rivaldo for the league's top scorer before moving on to AC Milan, and Mané kept him in the side despite making five changes to his starting line up.

The Numancia players wanted to give their fans a fitting send off, and Jaume gave them the lead with just over a quarter of an hour gone when he headed Rosu's corner past Kike. The Alavés reserve keeper had been given another chance by Mané to prove his worth, but he had to leave the field shortly afterwards with an injury, last season's top keeper Herrera coming back in his place. At half time the Alavés manager brought on an extra attacker Magno, and shortly afterwards he introduced Mario, who had hardly played throughout the season. The ex Barcelona youngster had an almost immediate effect, laying the ball through to Javi Moreno for him to poke it past Nuñez for his 22nd of the season, taking him momentarily level with Raúl.

That was not in Numancia's script though, and only a minute later substitute Iván Pérez restored the lead from close range after Herrera parried Caco Morán's shot. Pérez is one of four players on loan from Deportivo, and the crowd showed their appreciation for all of them, applauding the team off the field at the end. They go on to an uncertain future, hoping to be back soon but realistically unlikely to return to the top flight again without having money to spend. For Alavés the season ended a few weeks ago when they lost the UEFA cup final, and they must be happy now that it is all over and they can get some rest. Since the defeat in Germany they have hardly picked up a point, and they end the season in tenth place, without a chance of returning to European football next season. Mané's job now is to hold on to as many of his players as he can, with Moreno Contra and Tomic moving to Italy, and others on the shopping list of big clubs. For them too the best may now be over.