Espanyol 0 - Real Madrid 2

Espanyol: Mora; Cristóbal, Nando, Soldevilla, Navas; De Lucas (Brnovic 60'), Velamazán, Sergio, Arteaga; Martín Posse, Serrano (Manel 75'). 4-4-2.
Real Madrid: Casillas; Julio César, Iván Campo, Karanka, Roberto Carlos (Dorado 87'); McManaman (Ognjenovic 87'), Geremi, Redondo, Baljic (Karembeu 80'); Anelka, Raúl. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Espanyol: Nando, Navas, De Lucas, Arteaga, Posse for Pochettino, Roger, Galca, Iván Díaz, Manel / Madrid: Julio César, Geremi, Balic, Anelka for Salgado, Helguera, Savio, Morientes.

Goals:
0-1. 46. Baljic. After Anelka dummied and laid pass out to left.
0-2. 78. Raúl (penalty). Following foul by Arteaga on McManaman.

Real Madrid returned to the Olympic stadium in Montjuic just three days after losing there in the Spanish cup semi-final, but this time they did not leave empty handed after beating Espanyol 0-2. The man who got the blame for missing a last minute sitter which would have seen them through to the final, Elvir Baljic, did not fail this time, and in a similar position he took advantage of a genial pass from Nicolas Anelka to give his side a lead just after half time. Baljic and Anelka were two of the changes forced upon manager Vicente Del Bosque, who once again had a number of key players injured. On top of longer term injuries to Hierro (knee), Sanchis (right leg) and Guti (bone infection to ankle), Salgado and Savio had twisted ankles, Morientes had a foot injury and Helguera was suspended. Julio César came back for his first full match since his long injury, and Geremi played in the centre of midfield, with a gaggle of youngsters on the bench. Espanyol were without the suspended Roger and Tamudo, and the injured Galca, but otherwise they kept their victorious cup side. Everything was different from Wednesday night, the team shirts were different, the make up of the crowd was different (only 20,000, of which half were supporting Madrid) and the atmosphere was different, but this was Real Madrid's league rather then Espanyol's cup. Espanyol had spent everything on reaching the final and they had nothing left to give. Real Madrid however had to get the three points, with Valencia closing up on them a few hours before this match kicked off and their Champions League place for next year in danger. Even so the home side created more chances in the first half, although without Tamudo they were more often than not off target, and when they did find their range Casillas was on his usual form. They were unlucky however not to get a penalty late in the half, with referee Japón Sevilla turning down two claims, first for a push by Geremi on Arteaga, and then for a foul by Roberto Carlos on Serrano. Anelka was having one of his best games, this time at least getting some support from his colleagues, and just after the interval he set up Baljic for that first goal with a little dummy that left the defence looking right as he played it left. Baljic could not afford to miss this time. After Casillas had saved again from Velamazán, Paco Flores brought on Brnovic for his first game in over a year, the Yugoslavian midfielder having been out of favour with previous managers, and Manel came on for Serrano. Things were going according to plan for Madrid however, and some way into the second half Japón upset the local crowd by awarding a penalty to Real Madrid after Arteaga had tumbled into McManaman. Having seen his earlier claim turned down Arteaga was not taking prisoners, and his name went into the referee's book without hesitation. Del Bosque wasted the next ten minutes making substitutions, and Madrid went away with their mission accomplished. They move level with Zaragoza on points, although Zaragoza have the advantage over them in one-on-one goal average thanks to their 1-5 victory in the Bernabeu earlier in the season as against the 0-1 in the Romareda. Espanyol drop to eleventh, but having not registered for the Inter-toto their only remaining interest this season is the cup. In the end each got what they wanted this week. They always have been good friends.

Remaining matches: Espanyol: Numancia (A), Bilbao (H), Deportivo (A)
Madrid: Alavés (H), Betis (A), Valladolid (H)

Zaragoza 0 - Athletic Bilbao 0

Zaragoza: Juanmi; Sundgren (Cuartero 60'), Paco, Aguado, Lanna; Juanele (Radimov 76'), Aragón, Garitano, Vellisca (Marcos Vales 60'); Yordi, Milosevic. 4-4-2.
Athletic:Lafuente; Lacruz, Alkorta, Oscar Vales, Larrazábal; Felipe, Imaz (Edu Alonso 76'), Julen Guerrero (Roberto Rios 91'), José Mari; Joseba Etxeberria, Ezquerro (Javi González 57'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Zaragoza: Juanele, Aragón for Acuña, Marcos Vales / Bilbao: Lacruz, Oscar Vales, Larrazábal, Imaz, Guerrero for Larrainzar, Carlos García, Alkiza, Urrutia, Javi González.

Goals: None.

Athletic Bilbao spoilt Zaragoza's challenge on the championship this year, holding them to a score-less draw in the Romareda stadium. The match was followed with curiosity by many commentators, as it is a badly kept secret that Zaragoza manager Txetxu Rojo will be taking over from Luis Fernández at Bilbao next season. Rojo played for the club in his earlier days, and was then on the coaching staff before setting off on his career as a manager, which has taken him to many clubs, including Celta, Osasuna, Lleida and Salamanca, before arriving at his current location in 1998. He had always dreamed of returning to the club he has always supported however, and now that the opportunity has arisen it is too good to miss. Whatever the case Rojo is saying nothing until this season is over out of respect for his current employers and the present incumbent at Bilbao. That incumbent once again made his customary five changes to the side, including Julen Guerrero for once from the start, and bringing back Lacruz and Larrazábal, who were suspended last week. With Carlos García suspended and Alkiza undergoing an operation for a recurring injury, Oscar Vales and Imaz came in for a first game in several weeks. It's anybody's guess what their formation was, but we have punted for a 4-4-2 this week (four sports papers, four different game plans). Rojo has been less, let's say versatile, with his team changes, and maybe that's why Bilbao want him. With Pablo not yet fully recovered from his recent injury, the back four remained the same, with Aragón and Juanele the only changes in place of Acuña (who returned from international duty with Paraguay injured) and Marcos Vales. Bilbao had very little to play for, languishing in mid-table too far from the European spots but high enough up to be safe, and Zaragoza were favourites to win. However the visitors attacked first, and Juanmi was forced to save from Julen and Etxeberria in the first few minutes. Gradually the home side took control however, and only Lafuente stood between them and a first goal. As Zaragoza bombarded the penalty area with high balls. Both Milosevic and Yordi wasted chances up to half time, heading over the bar time and time again, and at the break there was no sign of anyone scoring. Rojo brought on Cuartero and Marcos Vales five minutes in to the second half, but they were like for like, and he kept his 4-4-2 formation. The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with the two Zaragoza strikers continuing their aerial attack on Lafuente's goal. Luis settled for a point, and left Urzaiz on the bench once again, but five minutes from time Bilbao woke up, with Julen hitting the crossbar and Etxeberria failing to take advantage of the rebound. That would have been a travesty of justice however, and the match ended with the honours shared. Zaragoza lose a bit of ground against most of their near rivals, but at least they are now sure of some European football next season. They stay third, equal with Real Madrid, but three points behind Barcelona and only two ahead of Valencia and Alavés. They travel to La Coruña next weekend, and after playing Málaga at home, they finish off in Valencia. Their place in next year's Champions League could depend on getting something from that game. Bilbao stay at thirteenth and only have next season to look forward to. At least their new manager has had a chance to see at first hand some of their players. They were all on best behaviour, of course.

Remaining matches: Zaragoza: Deportivo (A), Málaga (H), Valencia (A)
Bilbao: Racing (H), Espanyol (A), Alavés (H)