Atlético Madrid 2 - Málaga 1

Atlético: Esteban; Contra, Coloccini, Hibic, Carreras (Aguilera 72'); Albertini, Emerson (Movilla 52'); José Mari, Jorge, Luis García; Fernando Torres. 4-2-3-1.
Málaga: Contreras; Josemi, Fernando Sanz, Bravo (Leko 65'), Valcarce; Gerardo (Miguel Angel 24'), Romero; Manu, Sandro (Dely Valdés 50'), Musampa; Darío Silva. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Atlético: Carreras, Albertini, Emerson for Sergi, Movilla, Nagore / Málaga: Josemi, Bravo, Valcarce, Sandro, Musampa, Darío Silva for Rojas, Roteta, Iznata, Nacho Pérez, Canabal, Dely Valdés.

Goals:
1-0. 14. Luis García. Fired shot through crowded goalmouth following corner.
2-0. 47. Fernando Torres. Cut in from right past defender and shot across keeper.
2-1. 61. Darío Silva. Header from inside area following Manu's cross.

Atlético Madrid took advantage of Málaga's midweek UEFA cup exertions to beat them 2-1 and move to within a point of the European spots. The game was overshadowed by the news earlier in the week that local keeper Mono Burgos was suffering from a malignant tumour in the kidneys, and the players came on to the pitch wearing T-shirts with messages of support for him. Burgos had been operated on immediately, and at least the initial news was that the operation had been a success and the player could even be back on the field of play before the end of the season.

The game faced off the league's two most veteran managers, and both made several changes, with Aragonés replacing the suspended Sergi and Nagore and Peiró bringing back his first choice players (except for Dely Valdés) after they were rested last weekend in preparation for their visit to Athens. The euphoria from that match spilled over, and for a few minutes Esteban had to be wide awake to keep the visitors from scoring. However on the quarter hour mark Luis García put the home side ahead with a shot through a crowd of players following a corner, and Contreras turned an effort from Fernando Torres away shortly before half time which could have put the home side further ahead.

The young striker got another opportunity though at the start of the second half, and this time he didn't fail, leaving Fernando Sanz for dead before shooting into the roof of the net. As usual though Atlético relaxed after that, and Darío Silva headed one back on the hour mark after good work from Manu. Some over-zealous refereeing by Moreno Delgado left both sides with ten men soon afterwards, Luis García and then Darío Silva both getting second yellow cards for kicking the ball away. That left more space though, and Dely Valdés came on to bring another good save out of Esteban. However the visitors' legs were starting to tire, and Torres, José Marí and Movilla could all have added to the score in the final minutes with a bit more luck.