A record week for red cards this weekend, the eleven in all just one short of the all time record. Curiously the cards came in only four games, with Barcelona holding on to beat Getafe despite having Piqué sent off for a first half foul on Rafa and Márquez for giving away a last minute penalty on Kepa. Barça's Physical trainer Altamira was also red-carded for protesting. Almería also won against Sporting even though they lost Chico early on for saving the ball on the line with his hands, although numbers were evened up when Barral elbowed Juanma soon after the restart. Gregory was the third man to be shown red for throwing a ball at a ball-boy after the final whistle, although he claimed that this was provoked by a racial insult from another person, and his suspension is on hold pending further evidence.

Three red cards as well at Zaragoza, where the unfortunate Negredo was sent off for retaliating against Contini just a few minutes after heading in to his own net. Not his night! His Sevilla team-mate Stankevicius saw red a few minutes later for a hard tackle on Ander, and Zaragoza's new signing Adrián Colunga followed them both down the tunnel soon afterwards for a second bookable offence. Deportivo's Pablo Alvarez also picked up two rigorous yellow cards, the second for supposedly diving in the area close to half time, a fact which upset coach Lotina so much that he too was shown two yellows and a red card at half time for protesting.

On top of all that a further nine players will be suspended after picking up their fifth bookings of the season, and with injuries hitting at this heavy time of the season some teams will have problems putting out a decent side (even Barça for example only have three fit defenders). As well as those mentioned above, sitting in the stands this weekend will be Roncaglia (Espanyol), Boateng (Getafe), Iván González (Málaga), Azpilicueta and Aranda (Osasuna), Kome (Tenerife), Bruno and Llorente (Villarreal) and Paredes (Zaragoza). With a wave of cold weather due to hit Spain, we hope they get well wrapped up! (09.02.10)