Real Sociedad 2 - Villarreal 2

Real Sociedad: Alberto; López Rekarte, Schürrer, Azpilikueta, Potillón; Alkiza, Aramburu; Karpin, Nihat, Gabilondo (Xavi Prieto 74'); Kovacevic (De Paula 74'). 4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: Reina; Javi Venta, Quique Alvarez, Coloccini, Arruabarrena; Battaglia (Marcos Senna 83'), Josico; José Marí (Pedro Martí 93'), Riquelme, Roger; Sonny Anderson (Guayre 86'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Real: Azpilikueta, Alkiza, Kovacevic for Kvarme, Xabi Alonso, De Paula / Villarreal: Javi Venta, Coloccini, Josico, José Marí, Riquelme, Roger, Sonny Anderson for Belletti, Ballesteros, Pedro Martí, Marcos Senna, Calleja, Guayre, Víctor.

Goals:
0-1. 10. José Marí. Poked ball past Alberto after Anderson played back corner.
1-1. 41. Schürrer. Got above defence to head Nihat's corner past Reina.
1-2. 46. José Marí. Ran on to Roger's pass and rounded defender to score.
2-2. 60. Gabilondo. First time volley into roof of net from Nihat's chipped cross.

Real Sociedad and Villarreal played out a 2-2 draw on Sunday night, a result which neither particularly wanted. The Basque side needed a win to ensure themselves of first division football next season, whereas their opponents were looking for three points to close in on the UEFA cup spots. Paquito's side are still in the current edition at the moment, and even though they have a vital semi-final coming up at Valencia on Thursday, the manager decided not to rest any of his key players. On the opposite bench Denoueix was missing the suspended Xavi Alonso and Kvarme, and with his other defenders not available he gave a first ever run out to Azpilikueta.

The youngster was slow to react in the tenth minute though when marking José Marí as Riquelme took a corner from the left, the wily striker getting ahead of him to turn the ball into the net after Sonny Anderson headed back from the far post. Real came back though, with Aranburu taking over the reins from Xavi Alonso, and the Basque midfielder went close twice, first of all with a header which was cleared off the line by Javi Venta and then with a shot which Reina saved. And five minutes before the break the home side drew level when Schürrer rose above the defence to head Nihat's corner past the young keeper.

It only took the visitors a minute though after the restart to get back in front, Riquelme sending José Marí away for him to run through and score his second of the night. But a quarter of an hour later Real equalised again, Gabilondo finishing off after good work from Aranburu and Nihat. After that it was end to end stuff, and both sides had chances to win the game. But in the end they had to settle for a point which kept Real four points above the drop zone and left their opponents three points below that vital sixth place.