Cadiz welcomed back Berizzo and Sesma from injury. There were first starts of the season for De La Cuesta and Mario Silvo, meaning none of the back four who started against Sevilla, started in this match. Rennes started with the pacy Utaka on the bench, as Alexander Frei started as the lone striker with the dangerous Kallstrom behind him.
Rennes' defensive 4-4-1-1 formation and Cadiz lack of attacking cohesion led to a dour forgetful game. Rennes did win a first half penalty as Berizzo was harshly adjudged to have bundles Frei over in the box as the two chased a long ball. In fitting with the rest of the match, the resulting spot kick was awful, as Barbosa blasted it well wide.
Cadiz' best chances fell to Mario Silva, with a shot from a tight angle after breaking well from leftback, and Estoyanoff, who should perhaps have done better than head over when found in space from a free-kick.
Frei came close to a goal in the 2nd half, placing a long range half volley beyond Armando but also the post. In truth, neither team deserved a goal, though credit must go to both defences who dominated their opposing attackers.
Asked whether a complete change in back four meant he didn't yet know his best team, Oliveira, showing the first signs of pressure, responded angrily, "Nonsense! Berizzo was always going to come back in after his injury and I started with De La Cuesta to counter the pace of Utaka. What do you want me to do, play the same XI players every week, with no thought for tactics?"
When it was then put to Oliveira that his tactics had only yielded 1 goal in 3 games, the press conference came to an abrupt end as he calmly stood up, picked up his jacket and walked out.