© EuroFootball.com
In the Spanish championship, two matches of the eighth round were played on Saturday. Real Madrid club won an important victory at home with a minimal score against Valencia, who were defending their champion title.
1 - 0
7' [1 - 0] Michael Owen
In just the seventh minute, M. Owen scored for the hosts, who also scored in the Wednesday match against Dinamo. At the beginning of the match, Real played better and could have scored again, but Ronaldo's shot missed the target.
Trying to improve his team's performance, Valencia's coach C. Ranieri made substitutions, bringing in P. Aimar and S. Fiore instead of F. Rufete and M. Sissoko. The changes were beneficial, as the visitors' game improved, and they had the best chance after D. Albeldo's attempt, but their goal was saved by I. Casillas.
This was the third consecutive loss for the champions, and after Sunday's match, they will likely lose the second position. Meanwhile, Real Madrid rose to sixth place, reducing the gap from their defeated opponents to a minimum with 13 points.
1 - 1
7' [1 - 0] Paulo Wanchope
86' [1 - 1] Diego Tristan
In other matches of the day, Malaga hosted Deportivo. The first goal was scored in the seventh minute by Malaga's striker P. Wanchope, who sent the ball into the far corner after I. Leko's pass.
In the second half, both teams had several chances, but it was only when Deportivo's coach J. Irureta brought on P. Munitis and D. Tristan that they managed to score - Tristan headed in the equalizer after Munitis' pass.
After these draws, both clubs remained in the middle of the table: Deportivo, with 12 points, stays in 9th place, while Malaga, one point behind, is in 10th place.
