| After
a short break for international matches, league football returned this weekend.
Most of our top strikers didn't have much time to rest though as they went on
to play for their countries, some with long journeys to reach their
destinations. Rivaldo's trip to Brazil didn't seem to affect him much though,
and he extended his lead at the top of the table with his 30th goal for his
club this season, his best tally since signing for Barcelona. It is difficult
to believe then that some supporters are unhappy with his performances, and
with Riquelme apparently joining the club in summer he may well be on his way
to Italy. With Raúl not on his best form and Javi Moreno picking up an
injury playing for Spain, Catanha moved closer to both of them with a pair
against his old club Málaga. Out of respect for the home supporters he
did not celebrate his goals, instead asking fans to forgive him, despite the
fact that two local idiots threw stones at him before the game. The rest of the
fans were better behaved though, and he was given a standing ovation by the
home crowd when he was substituted near the end. His replacement Dely
Valdés did get one back for Málaga, but they were well beaten.
Diego Tristán kept up his good recent form with a couple more against
Villarreal, and he now has seventeen, not bad for someone who isn't even
Deportivo's first choice striker. That honour falls to Makaay, and ten minutes
as substitute for Tristán was enough for him to get his 14th of the
season. Elsewhere Rayo Vallecano got back to winning ways, and Bolic edged
ahead of his colleagues with a late goal to take him on to fifteen. Two new
faces come in to our table, with Oli getting a couple for Oviedo to take him up
to twelve (he now has four in the last three games), and Figo once more saving
Real Madrid with a free kick which gave them the three points against Numancia.
(02.04.01) |
