First Division - Day 19

Osasuna 0 - Valencia 0

Osasuna: Elía; Izquierdo, Cruchaga, Josetxo, Clavero; Valdo, Pablo García, Puñal, Moha; Morales (Milosevic 67'), Webó (Muñoz 74'). 4-4-2.
Valencia: Cañizares; Carboni, Ayala, Marchena, Moretti; Albelda, Baraja; Rufete (Mista 80'), Aimar (Fiore 73'), Xisco (Fabio Aurelio 62'); Corradi. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Osasuna: Izquierdo, Clavero, Moha for Expósito, Corrales, Delporte / Valencia: Ayala, Carboni, Albelda, Xisco, Corradi for Curro Torres, David Navarro, Caneira, Fiore, Mista.

Goals: None.

Tragedy before the match between Osasuna and Valencia, when news came through just an hour or so before kick off that Caneira's baby daughter had died suddenly in her cot. The Valencia delegation considered asking for the match to be postponed, but they eventually decided to play on even though nobody had much interest in football.

With Carboni taking Cañeira's place at right back and Ayala finally returning to the starting line up after a long injury, Ranieri's side defended well early on. Only Webó and Moha caused any problems for Cañizares, and Elía had to save from Corradi and Baraja at the other end.

Puñal shot just wide as the locals attacked at the start of the second half, but they were left with ten men just after the hour mark when Izquierdo picked up a second yellow card. The visitors were unable to take advantage of the extra man though, and apart from an effort by Baraja in the closing minutes there was little further action. Valencia ended the day in third place, two points behind Real Madrid.

Nobody was in the mood for celebrating though, and the club announced a period of mourning, chartering a flight so that players and management could support their player and attend the little girl's funeral in Portugal.