Livorno 1 - Espanyol 2

Livorno: Amelia; Galante, Grandoni, Kuffour, César (Paulinho 60'), Pasquale; Fiore (Pfertzel 78'), Morrone (Coppola 73'), Filippini, Passoni; Lucarelli. 5-4-1.
Espanyol: Gorka Iraizoz; Velasco, Jarque, Lacruz, Chica; Edu Costa, Ito; Rufete, Corominas (Moisés Hurtado 88'), Moha (Riera 60'); Pandiani (Luis García 76'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 26. Pandiani (penalty). After Jarque fouled by Lucarelli in the area.
0-2. 59. Moha. Ran on past Kaffour to strike angled shot past Amalia.
1-2. 81. Galante. Steered header past Gorka after corner headed on.

Espanyol's love affair with the UEFA Cup continued, the Catalans beating Livorno 1-2 behind closed doors to take a useful lead into the second leg. Pandiani set a new club record when he converted a penalty midway through the first half after Jarque was fouled by Lucarelli, his eighth goal in the competition this season. Prior to that Rufete had forced a good save out of Amelia, and Corominas and Pandiani both went close again before the break.

Only Lucetti had caused any problems for Gorka in the visiting goal, and Jarque headed a Corominas free kick against the bar before Moha got past Kaffour to make it two. Galante headed one back for the Italians near the end following a corner, but Ernesto Valverde's side held on for the last few minutes for a valuable victory which should see them through in a weeks' time.