Zaragoza 0 - Real Madrid 0

Zaragoza: Lainez; Rebosio, Milito, Alvaro, Toledo; Ponzio, Soriano; Galletti, Corona (Iñaki 87'), Savio (Cani 78'); David Villa. 4-2-3-1.
Real Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Raúl Bravo, Pavón, Roberto Carlos; Guti, Iván Helguera; Figo, Raúl, Zidane (Portillo 87'); Ronaldo (Solari 78'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Zaragoza: Toledo, Galletti, Savio for David Pirri, Iñaki, Cani / Madrid: Guti for Cambiasso.

Goals: None.

The midweek round of league games started off with a 0-0 draw between Zaragoza and Real Madrid. Even though the game came only a couple of days aftyer the weekend, Queiroz only made one change, Guti coming in for Cambiasso given that Beckham had not fully recovered from an injury last week. Paco Flores lined up with his strongest side, with Milito keen to show that his failed signing for Madrid was a mistake and Savio also hoping to get his revenge on the club which forced him to move on a couple of seasons ago.

Despite the result it was a lively game, with scoring chances for the two teams. Galletti struck a free kick just wide early on, and Alvaro cut out a dangerous cross from Figo with Ronaldo lurking just behind him. And before the break Galletti broke free and chipped the ball over the advancing Casillas, only to see his effort hit the post.

It was more of the same after the break, although Milito and Alvaro for the locals and Raúl Bravo and Pavón for the visitors kept tabs on their opposing forwards. Roberto Carlos responded with a shot against the post, and Raúl, who was returning to the ground where he made his debut nine years ago, somehow managed to steer Guti's cross at Lainez when it would have been easier to score.

But Madrid's challenge died twenty minutes from the end when Pavón got his marching orders from referee Mejuto González after picking up a second yellow card. Queiroz decided soon afterwards that a point would be enough, and took off Ronaldo to bring on Solari, allowing Zidane and Helguera to drop back. Casillas had to save from Ponzio near the end, but otherwise that was it, leaving Madrid in second place pending Wednesday's games. Zaragoza can take heart that they put in a good performance, and Milito can breathe easier now he has demonstrated what he can do.