Goalkeepers were hit for six on the opening weekend, with 34 goals against between them. Only four men kept a clean sheet, but ominously one of them was the Zamora from the last two seasons, Cañizares. He will undoubtedly be a contender again this season, but so too must be Iker Casillas, now that he appears to have won the battle for the number one shirt both for Real Madrid and Spain. Celta's Cavallero must not be ruled out though either. He finished joint fifth last year, and with Lotina using a more defensive line up the Argentina number one should be in the running. The fourth clean sheet came from another Argentine, Valladolid's Bizzarri, who has taken over in goal after Ricardo completed a dream move to Manchester United.

The drop in the Spanish transfer market though has meant that many old faces will be absent this year. Roa, Toni, Mora, Kike and Lainez will all be plying their trade in the second division next season, and Herrera and Olsen have left the country. Back though come Mono Burgos and Esteban, who will be vying for a place at Atlético, and Enke will be making his debut in Spain if he can oust youngster Víctor Valdés from the Barcelona goal. There has been one victim though even before the season has begun, with Espanyol sending Manninger back to Arsenal only weeks after he joined the club following disappointing performances pre-season. That one may end up in court. (03.09.02)