The Champions' League took it's toll this week, with both Westerveld and Cavallero picking up injuries which could keep them out for some time. Real Sociedad's Dutch keeper broke his hand in the match against Lyon, and Celta's number one bravely played on even though he had a bone broken above his nose in a clash with Arsenal's Edu when he scored the first goal. Alberto and Pinto took over their duties at the weekend, although neither had much success as their respective sides lost.

A bad weekend too for our two leaders, who will not want to hear about the city of Barcelona for a while. Deportivo's Molina let in three against Barça, the first goals he has let in in six games, and Valencia's Cañizares was beaten twice by Espanyol striker Tamudo, the snowy conditions obviously not to his liking. That was good news though for Osasuna's Sanzol, who moves back to within two points of the leaders after a clean sheet against Murcia, for whom Bonano saved a penalty.

In fact it was a strange weekend, with no less than five games ending with a 1-0 or 0-1 scoreline. As well as Sanzol, there were clean sheets for Almunia (Albacete), Aranzubia (Athletic), Arnau (Málaga) and also Aragoneses (Atlético) who saw his opposite number Leo Franco red-carded midway through the first half of their game at Mallorca. And one other change not commented on above, Valbuena coming in at Zaragoza after Lainez dropped out with a late injury. (01.03.04)