Málaga 2 - Atlético de Madrid 3

Málaga: Contreras; Rojas, Fernando Sanz, Bravo, Valcarce; Rufete, De los Santos, Movilla, Agostinho; Luque, Edgar. 4-4-2.
Atlético: Molina; Gaspar, Gamarra, Chamot, Gustavo; Bejbl; Aguilera, Baraja, Valerón, José Mari; Hasselbaink. 4-1-4-1.

Another two goals by Dutch international Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink helped Atlético de Madrid move away from the relegation area and into a safe midfield place. They even have a new word for it, 'Jimmydependencia'. Atlético manager Claudio Ranieri decided to play a more defensive line up, with Hasselbaink alone up front, and Valerón coming in for Solari. Gamarra and Chamot returned to the centre of defence. Málaga were missing their top scorer, Brazilian Catanha, suspended for two matches after being sent off in the bout (you couldn't call it a match) against Sevilla. Catanha was apparently the victim of racists insults during the match, and didn't appear to do much to warrant the two match suspension. As in the midweek cup match, his place was taken by on loan under 21 striker Luque, and the youngster took his opportunity, scoring both of his sides goals. The first goal however came from Jimmy Floyd with a beautifully struck free kick which Contreras got a finger to as it flew into the top corner of the net. Luque equalised in the 21st minute, picking up the ball in a possible offside position and lobbing Molina, but Hasselbaink restored the lead with a header from Gustavo's cross just before the interval. The Atlético striker turned provider a few minutes into the second half, his cross being bundled in to the goal by José Mari off a post after Contreras had failed to hold on to the ball. Luque scored again a few minutes later, again in a dubious position. Atlético jump over Málaga to 15th place, and the Andalucian side are once again only one point above 18th place, which is currently occupied by Valladolid.

Valladolid 1 - Racing de Santander 0

Valladolid: César; Torres Gómez, Santamaría, García Calvo, Peña, Marcos; Vizcaino, Turiel, Lozano; Víctor, Rodrigo. 5-3-2.
Racing: Ceballos; Mellberg, Txema, Arzeno, Sietes; Espina, Ismael; Munitis, Vivar Dorado, Amavisca; Salva. 4-2-3-1.

Valladolid manager Gregorio Manzano saved his job, at least for the time being, with a narrow victory against Racing de Santander. Knocked out of the cup midweek by Real Unión of second division B, Manzano had been locked in a series of arguments with his players which ended with his official apology to the team behind closed doors, and was on an ultimatum to produce a result. The only change in the two sides from last week's teams was the introduction of Rodrigo for Peternac in the home side, and it was the on loan Real Madrid player who made the difference, heading in the only goal of the match in the 24th minute from Marcos's cross. Racing came back, but this time Salva, Munitis and company were out of luck, and Valladolid recorded their first win after a run of four league defeats in a row. They are still not out of the relegation zone however, as most of their near rivals won, and they rise above Oviedo to 18th place. Racing drop to 13th, and will probably be without Arzeno and Munitis for their rescheduled midweek match at Alavés, as both picked up their fifth yellow card. Txema will also be missing as he broke his cheekbone in an accidental clash with Lozano.