In the following year, due to the emergence of youth graduate Antonio Puerta and the consolidation of Ivica Dragutinović, he appeared less, but still managed 26 appearances overall, including seven in the UEFA Cup as the club renewed its European title.
The following year featured the arrival of young graduate Antonio Puerta and the steady growth of Ivica Dragutinović. Although his appearances were reduced, he still made 26 total appearances, which included seven in the UEFA Cup, contributing to the club's reclamation of its European title.