Málaga 0 - Alavés 0

Málaga: Contreras; Josemi, Fernando Sanz, Roteta, Valcarce; Gerardo, Romero (Manu 62'), Sandro (Leko 62'), Musampa; Darío Silva (Edgar 82'), Dely Valdés. 4-4-2.
Alavés: Dutruel; Geli, Karmona, Téllez, Llorens; Desio; Mara (Ilie 78'), Astudillo, Jordi Cruyff, Ibon Begoña (Magno 70'); Rubén Navarro (Iván Alonso 70'). 4-1-4-1.

Team changes: Málaga: No change / Alavés: Desio, Mara, Jordi Cruyff, Ibon Begoña for Turiel, Pablo, Ilie, Magno.

Goals: None.

A scoreless draw between Málaga and Alavés, thanks mainly to a great performance by Alavés keeper Richard Dutruel. The Frenchman was back to the sort of form which took him briefly to a call up from his country's national squad, and almost single-handedly he saved his side a point. With their second European campaign now dead and buried, visiting manager Mané reverted to what one would expect was his stable first choice side. There was still no place though for Adrian Ilie, and the manager gave a rate start to Mara after he had complained about the lack of appearances this season. Málaga boss Joaquín Peiró put out his best side too, deciding not to reserve anybody for Thursday night's UEFA cup clash with Leeds United.

Dutruel was in action right from the start, the Double D strike force of Darío Silva and Dely Valdés putting him to the test. First of all it was Darío who tried to pass him without success, and then Dely with a spectacular bicycle kick which the keeper flung himself at to tip away from goal. With the exception of a weak shot from Mara, the Vitoria based side were not in the match, and if it were not for Dutruel, Peiró's men could have scored a couple more before the break.

The heavy rain was making playing conditions difficult, and much of the second half took place in a muddy and crowded midfield. Gerardo tested the French keeper again, and Musampa shot over the bar late in the game when given space. Alavés for their part only got near to Contreras once after the break, substitute Iván Alonso volleying wide from Astudillo's cross near the end. That would have been unfair though, and in fact the visitors can think themselves lucky to walk away with a point in the end.