The first legs of the European quarter finals took place this week, with three Spanish teams still involved. Barcelona were somehow unable to score at Benfica despite numerous chances in their Champions League tie, but Diego Forlán did manage a vital away goal at Inter Milan. Sevilla managed to put four past Zenit though in the UEFA cup on Thursday, with Saviola getting two of them.

No doubt though about the match of the week, the "derby" game between Barcelona and Real Madrid, although with Rijkaard's side eleven points clear there was less excitement this year. Ronaldinho got his tenth penalty of the season to open the scoring, but Ronaldo proved that reports of his demise are somewhat premature with an equaliser later in the first half.

For once though Eto'o didn't get on the scoresheet, and David Villa took advantage to close the gap on the leader with two goals in Valencia's thrilling 5-3 win over Cádiz. There were goals as well at Pamplona, where Bernd Schuster's Getafe stuck four past hosts Osasuna. Paunovic got two of them and Pernía also scored his tenth of the season to make him by far the highest scoring defender in the league.

Saviola followed up his midweek brace with another goal in the city derby game at Betis, although this time he ended up on the losing side. And Baiano was also on target from the penalty spot as Celta beat Atlético 0-3 to consolidate sixth spot, although that was partly thanks to referee Lizondo Cortés who ordered a retake after his first kick was saved. (03.04.06)