A hard time for keepers this week, with the goals against column equalling the season's high. Referees had it in for them too, with seven penalties against. Rayo's Lopetegui was the only one to stop one after a bit of argy-bargy with Salva, pointing where the striker should place his kick and then blocking the shot with his feet when he went for the centre of the goal. Only four of the twenty kept a clean sheet, including Iker Casillas against Barcelona in the big match of the day (his third in five games) and Valladolid's Ricardo, tipped for a possible place in Camacho's next squad after some very good performances. Zaragoza's unsettled keeper Juanmi, who replaced the injured Láinez, also kept out the opposition attack, as did Mallorca's Leo Franco, making up for the four he let in the week before on his return from injury.

Three keepers drop out of our table this week, Kike and Cañizares who are injured and Unzué who got hit for five by Diego Tristán and company, which means that there are a few new faces, including Casillas, Lafuente, Notario, Láinez (despite not playing) and Espanyol's eccentric keeper Argensó, one of ten home grown players in their side this week. One player who did return from injury this week was Deportivo's Molina, who took over from Nuno after a three week layoff. (05.11.01)