Real Madrid 1 - Valencia 0

Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Iván Helguera, Samuel, Roberto Carlos; Guti, Zidane; Figo (Celades 87'), Owen (Solari 59'), Raúl; Ronaldo (Morientes 80'). 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Cañizares; Curro Torres, Marchena, David Navarro, Carboni; Albelda, Sissoko (Fiore 46'); Rufete (Aimar 46'), Baraja, Angulo; Di Vaio (Mista 68'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Madrid: Michel Salgado, Owen for Mejía, Pavón / Valencia: David Navarro, Carboni, Albelda, Rufete for Pellegrino, Moretti, Fiore, Corradi.

Goals:
1-0. 07. Owen. Ran on to Raúl through ball and struck shot into top of net.

For the second time in four days, a Michael Owen goal gave Real Madrid a 1-0 victory. The England striker was included again by García Remón in an attacking line up after his goal against Dynamo Kiev midweek, playing alongside Ronaldo and Raúl up front. Their opponents came in to this match on a bit of a low though after their recent defeats against Sevilla and in particular against Inter Milan, and Ranieri surprised the pundits leaving Aimar on the bench and bringing Sissoko into a five man midfield which also included Baraja after his one match ban was suspended by the CEDD pending appeal.

Owen it was though who got the goal in the seventh minute, running on to shoot past Cañizares with the outside of his foot after Zidane and Raúl combined to set him up. For the rest of the first half it was all Madrid, with Salgado hitting the side netting with a deflected shot and Ronaldo shooting wide and then forcing Cañizares into a save low down.

Ranieri decided to ring the changes at the break, bringing on Aimar and Fiore for Sissoko and Rufete. There was some improvement, but Zidane came close to extending the lead with a shot on the turn after taking a pass from Ronaldo. Valencia finally did approach Casillas's goal in the last few minutes, with substitute Mista firing one chance over the bar from close up and the keeper standing up to another effort from Aimar. But Madrid had the three points in the bag with their fourth single goal victory in the league this season, and they move up to within a point of their rivals in the table.