Friendly games

Several clubs took advantage of the two week international lay-off to play friendly fixtures. Atlético Madrid started off their centenary celebrations with a 2-1 victory over neighbours Real Madrid, a game which also promoted the city's bid for the 2012 Olympic games, Valencia went all the way to Mexico to play a friendly match against Toluca, and Espanyol used their fixture against Lazio to present the plans for their new stadium. Racing Santander president Dmitri Piterman took his new club to the Costa Brava to play his old club Palamos, Athletic Bilbao took on Paris Saint Germain, now fronted by their ex boss Luis Fernández, and Barcelona cashed in €300,000 to play against Al Saadi Gaddafi's side, Libyan champions Al-Ittihad. (03.04.03)