DEPORTIVO

08-09 LA LIGA STANDING: 7th

Deportivo was just four points away from qualifying to this year’s Europa League. Deportivo made a good run towards the end of last season, but fell short in the last three rounds to get back in European competition. Despite a 7th place finish last season, Deportivo had a below average scoring offense. Their leading scorer was midfielder Lafita with only 8 goals while another midfielder, Verdú, followed with just 7 strikes. Verdú was transferred to Espanyol this summer, so not too many options are left for Deportivo as far as scoring is concerned this year. Strikers? Not much to offer especially when Mexican international Omar Bravo turned out to be a major bust.

Deportivo made one important move this offseason and that was paying Atlético Madrid the 2 million euro clause to keep defender Zé Castro on the team for this season. Manager Miguel Angel Lotina is also promoting players from the youth system. Juan Domínguez and Iván Pérez have impressed Lotina in pre-season training, but we’ll have to wait and see how well and how quick these young guys can adapt to playing in La Liga. Although La Coruña would like to see themselves back in the UEFA Champions League like the good ol’days, accomplishing such a feat this year seems like a bit of a stretch.

MARKET MOVEMENT

Players In: Juca (Partizan), Zé Castro (Atlético), Taborda (Hércules), Adrián López (Málaga), Alex Bergantiños (Xerez), Brayam Angulo (Leixoes)

Players Out: Aythami (Xerez), Barragán (Valladolid), Verdú (Espanyol), De Guzmán, Munúa (Málaga), Fabricio (Valladolid), Pablo Amo (Zaragoza), Rodri (Hércules), Cristian Hidalgo (Hércules), Omar Bravo, Aythami (Xerez)