The Champions' League returned after the winter break, with Real Madrid and Barcelona in action. Both sides won their first leg games against Juventus and Chelsea respectively, with Helguera scoring for Madrid and Maxi López (his first for his new club) and Eto'o (his 22nd of the season) for Barça. Mixed results for the five Spanish sides still in the UEFA cup, with Villarreal, Sevilla and Zaragoza going through and Valencia and Athletic Bilbao knocked out. Savio and Yeste (from the penalty spot) were the only ones of our Pichichis to score.

Baptista kept in touch with Eto'o with another strike at the weekend, taking him clear second in our table. Luque scored for Deportivo against old enemy Real Madrid, and Baraja got one of the goals as Valencia began their post-Ranieri era with a win over Betis. David Villa and Maxi both got their first goals in six games as their sides beat Villarreal, and Albacete respectively, but Luis García's strike for Mallorca was not enough in the end as his side lost to Levante. Finally Pacheco (Albacete) and Marcos Assunçao (Betis) joined the group on eight goals in all competitions after scoring what in the end were consolation goals for their teams. (28.02.05)