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Deportivo la Coruna clinched their first-ever Liga championship in 1999-00, which at the time, made them the smallest Spanish city to win the trophy, with a population of 250,000.
It was the peak of Javier Irureta’s seven-year stint at the Galician club, who finished five points clear of second-place Barcelona to kick start a period of sustained domestic and European dark horsery in the early 2000’s.
Looking back, it wasn’t La Liga’s finest season, with Depor the only side to win more than 20 games. However, with three of the four Champions League semi-finalists that term hailing from Spain, the league was still a force to be reckoned with.
CHANGES
Real Madrid were busy in the transfer market, adding future stalwarts Ivan Helguera and Michel Salgado to their defence. Steve McManaman also joined the club in a high-profile Bosman transfer from Liverpool, while Nicola Anelka joined from Arsenal for an ill-fated spell.
Deportivo would make one of the most important signings in their history, bringing in Roy Makaay from Tenerife. Barcelona also took a chance on the talented but injury-prone attacking midfielder Jari Litmanen from Ajax.
Malaga, Numancia, Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano were promoted from the Segunda, with Extremadura, Tenerife, Salamanca and Villarreal dropping down a division.
SUMMARY
Under Irureta’s influence, Deportivo developed a captivating mix of players. Hard-working cogs like Noureddine Naybet and Mauro Silva were complemented by homegrown stalwarts like Fran. The eccentric flair of Djalminha and Makaay’s clinical scoring proved a deadly combo.
The season was destined to be Depor’s when in February, they dismantled Madrid 5-2 at the Riazor to maintain their grip on first place in emphatic fashion. The aristocrats had been flogged and by May, Irureta’s team were champions.
Things were a lot messier just below, with three points separating second through sixth. Real Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona’s deep runs in Europe made things more…
Source link : https://www.footballcritic.com/season-reviews/when-deportivo-thrilled-spain-to-take-the-title-la-liga-in-1999-00/88
Author : [email protected] (Dan Edwards)
Publish date : 2024-07-21 11:00:00
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