As expected, Víctor Valdés was rested at the weekend, not so much to protect his Zamora prize (Málaga would have had to score 15 to deprive him of that!), but more so to ensure he didn't pick up an injury before next weekend's Champions League final. This was Valdés's fourth award, taking him second equal in the all-time table with Cañizares (Celta / Valencia) and Acuña (Deportivo) and one behind Barça's mythical keeper Ramallets, and at the age of 29 he has a chance of breaking all the records.

Pinto replaced Valdés at Málaga, and there were several other changes where teams had nothing to play for. Málaga themselves gave Arnau his last five minutes against his old club, Unai Alba and Raúl Domínguez were both given a first run-out of the season as Hércules and Sporting drew 0-0, and Cristian Alvarez came in for Kameni at Espanyol. Mourinho also brought in Dudek for a last game in the Bernabeu, and he was given a guard of honour by the players as he was replaced late on by youngster Jesús (we were hoping for a late goal from the visitors so we could say: Jesús saves... and Goitom knocks in the rebound!", but it didn't happen!).

César was also probably playing his last game for Valencia, and his clean sheet at Deportivo coupled with another clean sheet for Osasuna's Ricardo sent the Galicians down, even though Aranzubia ended up third in our table. All of that meant that only four keepers played in every match of the season, Ricardo, Bravo, Diego López and De Gea, who if rumours are to be believed will be on his way to Manchester United this summer to replace Van der Saar. (23.05.11)