Osasuna 2 - Villarreal 1

Osasuna: Sanzol; Izquierdo, Cruchaga, Josetxo, Antonio López; Valdo, Puñal, Alfredo, Moha (Palacios 81'); Webó (Bakayoko 66'), Aloisi (Muñoz 75'). 4-4-2.
Villarreal: Reina; Tena (Guayre 62'), Quique Alvarez, Coloccini, Javi Venta; Pedro Martí, Battaglia; José Marí, Riquelme, Roger; Sonny Anderson. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Osasuna: Alfredo for Pablo García / Villarreal: Tena for Ballesteros.

Goals:
1-0. 33. Aloisi. Diving header which hit post and went in off back of Reina.
2-0. 72. Quique Alvarez. Chested ball over line trying to clear Antonio López cross.
2-1. 77. Riquelme (penalty). after Josetxo held on to José Marí in area.

Osasuna's good season continues, and they stay a point behind the UEFA cup spots after beating rivals Villarreal 2-1. The Pamplona based side had not won in their Sadar stadium in over three months though, but they went ahead somewhat fortunately when Aloisi's header came back off the post, hit Reina on the back and bounced into the net.

Visitng manager Paquito though was thinking more about their upcoming UEFA cup tie with Roma, and decided not to force the return of Belletti and Arruabarrena after injury, giving a first start to youngster Tena. Their first shot at goal though was a wayward effort by Riquelme after the restart, and they found themselves with ten men when Battaglia was shown a rather harsh red card for a hard tackle.

Four minutes later Osasuna made it two, and once again it came from a Villarreal player, Quique Alvarez only managing to chest the ball over the line whilst trying to control Antonio López's cross. Eventually the visitors did score, Riquelme converting a penalty after Josetxo fouled José Marí. But the locals could have made it three when Reina tipped over a dangerous effort from Alfredo late on.