Deportivo La Coruña 1 - Rayo Vallecano 1

Deportivo: Molina; Héctor, César, Helder, Capdevila; Duscher, Mauro Silva; Makaay (Sergio 67'), Djalminha (Emerson 83'), Amavisca; Pandiani (Diego Tristán 85'). 4-2-3-1.
Rayo: Imanol Etxeberria; Ferrón, De Quintana, Corino, Graff; Vivar Dorado (Glaucio 51'), Helder; Peragón, Quevedo, Michel; Bolic (Bolo 77'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Deportivo: Héctor, César, Duscher, Djalminha, Pandiani for Scaloni, Naybet, Sergio, Víctor, Valerón / Rayo: Corino, Helder for Mainz, Arteaga.

Goals:
1-0. 08. Pandiani. Turned past three defenders and shot low past Etxeberria.
1-1. 34. Bolic. Glancing header from Ferrón's cross which bounced into goal.

Whilst Madrid were coming back after their cup defeat, their victors Deportivo were suffering from their post-match hangover, being held 1-1 at home by next to bottom club Rayo Vallecano. With an important Champions League fixture to come midweek at Arsenal, Irureta made eight changes from his cup-winning side, with Pandiani and Makaay leading the attack and Djalminha in close support. As tradition dictates, Rayo prepared a 'guard of honour' to applaud the cup champions on to the pitch, and a few minutes later they seemed to forget the game had started, leaving a free passageway for Pandiani to pick his way through the defence and beat Etxeberria with a low shot. A few minutes later the keeper made up for the goal with a first class save from Makaay, and then came the turning point of the match, López Nieto sending off César after he brought down Peragón just outside the area, leaving the Gallicians with ten men. That was the boost the visitors needed, and Ferrón went close a couple of times before Rayo equalised, Bolic heading Ferrón's cross down across Molina and in to the net. There was a weak protest from the Depor players as Quevedo had bundled over Héctor as he was trying to clear the ball, but their hearts were not in it and referee López Nieto allowed the goal to stand.

Either team could have scored immediately after the restart, Ferrón clearing Makaay's effort off the line and Quevedo off target with the goal at his mercy. But after Etxeberria palmed away Djalminha's free kick, Irureta decided to play safe and took off his front three to reinforce his midfield and defence. Even so Peragón could have won it for the visitors in injury time, but he shot straight at Molina when it would have been easier to score. That would probably have been an injustice though, and a point apiece was a fair result in the end. Depor drop a place to fourth, their hopes of a triple taking a minor setback which they should be able to recover from in the next few games. Tenerife's win means that Rayo drop to bottom place despite their efforts, but they are only five points away from thirteenth placed Osasuna, and they still have time to climb out of the drop zone if they can cobble together a few good results. On today's showing they have the ability to do so.