| Not a
great day for keepers, with 34 goals in all in the ten games. Cañizares
extended his lead at the top of our chart despite his side losing 0-1, and with
ten games to go looks untouchable. He returned to the Spanish starting line up
against France at his home stadium in Valencia on Wednesday night (sporting a
dyed blue haircut of all things), almost a year since his last start, which by
coincidence was against the same side the day Spain were knocked out of Euro
2000. Molina returned for Deportivo but let in two even though his side won,
and the race for second spot appears to be between four keepers, with Mora and
Casillas closing in after keeping clean sheets, and Leo Franco only letting in
one. Their four closest rivals got hit for no less than fourteen goals between
them, with Bizzarri and Herrera both letting in three and Nacho González
and López Vallejo getting stuffed for four each. Herrera returned to the
Alavés side after clearing his name in the passport scandal but could do
nothing as Oli and company set about a defence who were probably thinking more
about their Thursday night UEFA cup semi-final than this match. There is then
another gap to the next bunch, which can be grouped as the northern Spain
contingent after Racing's Ceballos replaces Málaga's Contreras in the
table. Bilbao's Lafuente saved a penalty but still ended up on the losing side
after his opposite number Nuno kept out the Bilbao attack. Finally a word for
Kasey Keller, who spent the night in hospital after getting concussed in Rayo
Vallecano's match at Valladolid. Good news for his fans though as Kasey was
released the next morning without any serious damage being done. Obviously a
hard nut to crack! (02.04.01) |
