Atlético Madrid 1 - Osasuna 0

Atlético: Pichu; Seitaridis, Ze Castro, Perea, Antonio López; Galletti (Gabi 46'), Luccin, Maniche (Mista 84'), Jurado (Costinha 87'); Agüero, Fernando Torres. 4-4-2.
Osasuna: Ricardo; Izquierdo, Cuéllar, Miguel Flaño, Corrales; Raúl García, Nekounam; David López, Héctor Font (Cruchaga 81'), Juanfran (Valdo 63'); Webó (Soldado 63'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Atlético: No change / Osasuna: Izquierdo, Cuéllar, Miguel Flaño, Nekounam, Héctor Font, Webó for Javier Flaño, Cruchaga, Josetxo, Puñal, Soldado, Milosevic.

Goals:
1-0. 83. Zé Castro. First time shot through crowded goalmouth from edge of area.

Atlético Madrid got their revenge for their elimination from the cup with a 1-0 win over Osasuna, a result which takes them up to third pending Sunday's fixtures. Referee Lizondo Cortés was the main protagonist though, sending off four visiting players in the second half as well as local coach Javier Aguirre, who was booked twice for arguing before half time.

Nerves were frayed right from the start in this third match between the two sides in ten days, and there were constant niggles between the players. And there was not a lot of football in the first 45 minutes, the only chances being a shot wide by Héctor Font and another effort from Agüero which Ricardo saved.

The home side started well after the break, with Ricardo saving well from Fernando Torres and Agüero. Midway through the second half Lizondo sent off Cuéllar after he gave away a penalty on Fernando Torres, but the striker put the spot kick wide. It didn't take long though for Zé Castro to give his side the lead with a first time volley through a crowded goalmouth after the defence failed to clear a corner.

After that all hell broke loose, with Soldado the next to go after catching Zé Castro with a flying elbow. Ricardo went soon afterwards, booked for a second time for kicking the ball away after coming out to the touchline to clear, and with all three changes made, David López took over in goal. And then Raúl García was also red carded, this time for supposedly stepping on Seitaridis. Lizondo stopped it soon afterwards before serious damage could be done, but one dreads to think what could happen in 19 games' time if these two sides are fighting it out for honours on the last day of the season.