Valencia's golden season
Monday, May 24, 2004
Article summary
Spain review: It was Valencia CF's year in Spain as they took the league title and the UEFA Cup.
Article body
No doubt about it, the success story in Spain in 2003/04 were Valencia CF. Crowned champions with three games of the campaign remaining, Rafael Benítez became the first coach to win two Spanish titles at the Mestalla and then etched his name into club legend by taking the UEFA Cup too.
Decisive factors
Valencia chairman Jaime Ortí, who is hoping to run for a second term following next month's elections, admitted that the success was down to a collective team effort but 19-goal striker Mista stood out along with goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares who collected his fourth Zamora trophy for having the safest hands in the Primera División, conceding just 25 goals.
Ronaldinho shines
Another shining star in the Spanish firmament is Ronaldinho, who has had a brilliant debut season with FC Barcelona. The Brazilian, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain FC last summer showed sensational skills and contributed 15 goals as Frank Rijkaard's side recovered from a sluggish start to finish second in the table and secure a return to the UEFA Champions League next season.
Deportivo finish third
RC Deportivo La Coruña may have lost their way a little towards the end of the season, but still did enough to finish third after reaching the Champions League semi-finals. However, it was a bad season for fourth-placed Madrid, who were beaten by Real Zaragoza in the Spanish Cup final and who ended the campaign with five successive defeats and the dismissal of coach Carlos Queiroz.
Madrid misery
Ronaldo finished as the league's top scorer with 24 goals, but that was the arguably single highlight of a drab season. New coach José Antonio Camacho may now have some difficult decisions to make with the futures of Roberto Carlos, Javier Portillo and Esteban Cambiasso in doubt along with that of club president Florentino Pérez.
Happy returns
Further down the table, fifth-placed Athletic Club Bilbao are back in Europe for the first time in six years, while Sevilla FC will join them in the UEFA Cup for the first time in nine years. Julio Baptista's 20 goals helped them pip UEFA Cup semi-finalists Villarreal CF to sixth place on the final day of the season.
Celta relegated
At the foot of the table, memories of their Champions League campaign will provide little comfort to RC Celta de Vigo after they joined Real Valladolid and Real Murcia CF in being relegated from the top flight. Miguel Ángel Lotina and Radomir Antic were both dismissed during the course of the campaign by a side who reached the last 16 of the Champions League but will start 2004/05 in the Segunda División.
