Final Standings….
By: James | July 7th, 2008
Welcome to the Racing Santander section of The Offside.
My name is James and I am of course happy to expand the coverage of La Liga for this website.
What a season it’s been for the side. The final league standings see Marcelino García’s men sitting comfortably in 6th position, securing themselves European football for next season; dizzying heights, especially considering they finished only 10th in La Liga the previous season. Recent campaigns have seen the northern Spanish outfit battling relegation regularly, only able to boast a modest 14th as their best achievement of recent times and even this would be going back about a decade as far as the 1997-98 campaign to be precise.
Despite the dream of a Champions League spot for the upcoming season fading away rapidly, as vital points were dropped towards the end of term, it must not be forgotten where the team has come from in such a short space of time. Indeed, the Champions League qualification hopes were perhaps slightly premature to say the least but the Cantabrians can hold their heads up high after fending off an in-form Mallorca. They held a far superior goal difference that may have greatly changed the outcome of the season, had Racing not held their nerve to beat a relegation-threatened Osasuna in the final game of the season; fighting both for survival and for pride.
A nail-biter at Estadio El Sardinero saw both teams needing a win and even more so when reports from the Son Moix arrived of a goal in Mallorca’s favour against Zaragoza; meaning only a win would do if the scores remained the same and Racing were to make safe their UEFA cup spot. It was not until the 86th minute that a roar went up around Estadio El Sardinero as substitute, youngster Iván Bolado converted from a Tchité cross on the near post of Osasuna keeper Ricardo to put to bed a very nervy affair and confirm what promises to be a very exciting upcoming season for Racing. An emotional rollercoaster came to an end, reflected in the tears of Racing coaches Marcelino and Ziganda.
After a wonderful season that even saw Santander reach the semi-finals of the Copa Del Rey, however, Marcelino has quit, allegedly with higher ambitions in mind that he had discussed already with club president Franciso Pernia. Valencia seemed a likely option after a disappointing run in La Liga this season, despite the man himself claiming he would not sign any sort of agreement with any club and was not expecting to do so before the beginning of the new season. Marcelino had already worked his magic at Recreativo Huelva in gaining them promotion in 2006 and guiding them to 8th place the following season in La Liga.
Category: Santander Team News
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Comments
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Welcome aboard James. I thought Marcellino signed with Real Zaragoza. Anyhow he will be a big miss at Racing. What do you think of the new coach Juan Ramon Muñiz? I was reviewing the new signings, there are a lot of unknowns, ex Segunda players and diamonds in the rough from the look of it. Any thoughts? Europe will be tough for a team the size of Racing.
Posted from
United States
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Thanks a lot. Marcelino will without a doubt be greatly missed at El Sardinero, but he must be commended for his achievements and willingness to drop a division and his choice should be respected by all. I plan to give my thoughts on the question of Marcelino’s successor, Juan Ramon Muñiz shortly as well as transfer news crucial to the upcoming season, especially with Europe looming over Racing as you say, so be sure keep a look out.
Posted from
United Kingdom -
I sign on today and went ‘We have a Racing site??’
Well done James, kudos to you guys for making Europe last season and hopefully to the success in the UEFA this season.
Apparently, Racing wants to have their ‘unveiling’ this season against Real Madrid, since Pernía and Calderón are so buddy buddy, or against Sevilla.
I also saw that Ebi Smolarek might be leaving to go to Toulouse, do you know anything more about that?
Posted from
United States -
The movie of Marcelino’s life will star Hugh Jackman.
He’s a dead ringer.Posted from
United States
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