Zaragoza 0 - Celta 1

Zaragoza: Lainez; Cuartero (Jamelli 60'), Komljenovic, Paco, Esquerdinha; Toro Acuña, José Ignacio; Marcos Vales (Bilic 75'), Juanele, Garitano (Corona 55'); Milosevic. 4-2-3-1.
Celta: Cavallero; Karpin, Méndez, Cáceres, Yago; Luccin, Giovanella; Jesuli, Mostovoi (Velasco 65'), Gustavo López (Edu 70'); Catanha (Coira 89'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Zaragoza: Cuartero, Esquerdinha, Toro Acuña for Rebosio, César, Pablo / Celta: Yago, Giovanella, Gustavo López for Sergio, Sylvinho, Vagner.

Goals:
0-1. 53. Jesuli. Corner from left which bounced past everyone and in to the net.

Zaragoza lost 0-1 at home to Celta, a result which keeps them in next to bottom spot staring relegation in the face for the first time in 25 years. It was a nervy game, and although a good crowd turned up to cheer their side on, they eventually turned on their players and management at the end of the ninety minutes, with many supporters waiting outside the ground and only a strong police presence preventing any real trouble. Even so, most of the players were not able to leave the stadium until three hours after the match finished.

In fact Zaragoza did not play badly, and even pegged the visitors back in their own half for the first 45 minutes, with Toro Acuña returning after injury to lead them on. However they were lacking that final punch, and their only real effort at goal during that time was a Marcos Vales low shot which hit the foot of the post before the interval.

Celta had come looking for a win, motivated by the possibility of a place in the Champions League for the first time ever. Manager Víctor Fernández was returning to the ground where he learnt his trade (he is still a paid up member of the club), but he had to put that aside and concentrate on winning. He had problems though putting out a line up, especially in defence where suspensions for Juanfran and Sergio and a serious injury to Sylvinho meant he had to play Karpin at right back.

Having weathered the first half storm the visitors came out with more aggression, and they took the lead eight minutes after the restart, Jesuli's corner bouncing past everyone and in to the net past a startled Lainez. Milosevic did get the ball in the net near the end for the home side, but Losantos Omar ruled it out for a non existent offside starting off the protests from the fans.

Zaragoza have now gone ten games without a win, and they have a difficult trip to relegation rivals Villarreal next week before the visit of Barcelona on the last day. Incidentally Villarreal's manager Víctor Muñoz is also a paid up member of Zaragoza, and it would be ironic if the two Víctors were responsible for the relegation of the club they both have a soft spot for.

Celta are now well on line for that fourth Champions League spot. They stay level on points with Barcelona, only just below them in the league table on general goal difference (the system used for classifying teams during the season). However they have a better head-to-head record with the Catalans, and under Spanish league rules that is what counts on the last day.