First Division - Day 12

Villarreal 0 - Zaragoza 0

Villarreal: Barbosa; Kromkamp, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Peña, Arruabarrena; Josico, Marcos Senna; Cazorla (Héctor Font 75'), José Marí, Roger; Figueroa. 4-2-3-1.
Zaragoza: César; Ponzio, Gabriel Milito, Alvaro, Toledo; Generelo (Zapater 68'), Celades; Cani, Oscar González (Ewerthon 64'), Savio (Sergio García 85'); Diego Milito. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Villarreal: Kromkamp, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Josico, Roger for Javi Venta, Quique Alvarez, Tacchinardi, Riquelme / Zaragoza: Oscar González for Ewerthon.

Goals: None.

The match between Villarreal and Zaragoza ended without goals, a result which keeps the home side in the Champions League spots pending Sunday's games and gives the visitors their eighth draw of the season. Local manager Pellegrini was missing the injured Diego Forlán and Riquelme, and rested other key players for the midweek match at Old Trafford. But even so his side put up a good fight, and could have won it in the end with a little more luck.

The visitors started well, with Diego Milito unable to beat César in an early counter-attack. But gradually the home side wrested control from their opponents, Roger shooting wide after José Marí set him up and Figueroa bringing a couple of good saves out of the visiting keeper. The visitors did have a couple more chances before half time though, Cani, Oscar and Savio all trying their luck with long efforts.

Diego Milito caused some problems for the Villarreal defence after the restart, although he was caught offside more often than not. Celades had to clear a header from José Marí at the other end though with the keeper beaten, and Roger also put a couple of efforts wide near the end. But in the end Velasco Carballo called it a day, and both sides went home with a point.