Last update 13 September, 2024 por Alberto Llopis
There are many teams that were relegated the year in which they competed in European competition. And it is that, in the world of football, Achieving the dream of competing in Europe is the peak that many clubs want to reach. However, that glory sometimes hides a dark side. Instead of being the springboard to ultimate success, can become relegation to the hells of the Second Division.
The pressure of competing in various competitions, along with the physical and mental demands, have led teams to fall under the weight of their own ambitions. The recent history of Spanish football is full of examples that show that playing in Europe can be a dangerous double-edged sword..
The danger of dreaming big: when Europe becomes a curse
Not all teams can maintain the infernal pace of three competitions at the same time. In the last two decades, eight Spanish teams have tasted the honeys of the European competition and then faced bitter relegation. Clubs that touched European glory like Espanyol, Villarreal, Betis, Alavés, Zaragoza and Celta de Vigo suffered this cruel fate, some even more than once.
Espanyol (2019-2020): From ecstasy to nightmare in one season
The Spanish, who returned to Europe full of enthusiasm, seemed to be in a fairy tale as they began their European campaign. After beating the modest The Icelandic star, everything pointed to a successful season.
However, That dream soon turned into a nightmare.. While in Europe they reached the sixteenth, In the League things went wrong quickly, and they ended up paying a very high price for their continental adventure: relegation to Second.
Also to do it in a more traumatic way, It was at the height of the pandemic, with empty stadiums and also descending 27 years after his last descent, at the eternal rival's house. That is to say, losing the category after being defeated by Barça at the Camp Nou.
Betis (2013-2014): The Europa League as a lethal distraction
Betis achieved a notable role in the Europa League, reaching the round of 16. But that European success hid the cracks in a team that, in the League, I couldn't get out of the well. From the first days, Betis sank in the table and never raised its head again, condemning themselves to the Second Division. The brilliance of Europe was too costly a distraction.
Villarreal (2011-2012): A giant with feet of clay
Villarreal, a regular in the Champions League and a revelation team for several seasons, faced his worst nightmare 2011-2012. He “Yellow Submarine”, that had reached the top in Europe, could not withstand the pressure of playing in various competitions. Their early elimination in the Europa League group stage was the harbinger of things to come: a resounding fall in the League that culminated in their relegation.
Zaragoza (2007-2008 y 2001-2002): Twice bitten by the same snake
Real Zaragoza, a club accustomed to the European fight, He lived two bitter experiences with the European curse. In 2007-2008, the team was quickly eliminated from the UEFA Cup, and the domestic season was a disaster, culminating in his descent. However, they had not learned from the lesson, since in the 2001-2002, They had already experienced what it was like to play in Europe and end up being relegated.
Celtic of Vigo (2006-2007 y 2003-2004): The people of Vigo stumbled 2 times with the same stone
Celta Vigo, another team with international ambitions, has also fallen prey to this curse. In 2006-2007, the Galician team returned to Europe, but after falling in the round of 16, His problems in the League began to be noticed. In a matter of days, What seemed like a historic season ended in tragedy with their relegation. For greater misfortune, This wasn't the first time it happened to them.. In 2003-2004, after an outstanding campaign in the Champions League, Celta collapsed in the League, repeating the same bitter ending barely 3 years later.
Alavés (2002-2003): From glory to fall
Deportivo Alavés, that had conquered the heart of Europe after its unforgettable final in the UEFA Cup in 2001 against Liverpool, one of the best football finals in history, could not maintain his status. in the season 2002-2003, blinded by the brilliance of his recent continental success, The team focused so much on competing in Europe again that it neglected the League. As a result, finished in Second, condemned by his own ambition. And he became one of those teams that were relegated a year in which they played European competition.
The price of flying too high: Teams that were relegated the year they played in Europe
These teams teach us that, in football, success is not always what it seems. Playing in Europe can be the dream of any fan, but it can also take a club to the brink of the abyss. The physical demand, Injuries and the inability to manage three competitions are usually a deadly cocktail for teams that do not have a deep enough squad.. And so, What begins as a glorious international adventure can end in the bitter reality of relegation.