The Struggle of Real Valladolid
This past weekend, Real Valladolid suffered a crushing 7-1 defeat at the hands of Athletic Club, a match that starkly illuminated the depth of their struggles in the 2024/25 La Liga season. The thrashing at San Mames was not an isolated incident but a reflection of deeper issues that have plagued Valladolid since their return to the top flight. Promoted last season after a single year in the Segunda División, Valladolid has found the step up in quality to be overwhelming. Despite having a larger wage bill than clubs like Rayo Vallecano and Leganés, their recruitment efforts have failed to build a squad with the necessary talent to compete in La Liga. This is evident in their numbers: Valladolid is the team with the fewest goals scored (16) and the most goals conceded (59). They have already sacked two managers (Paulo Pezzolano and Diego Cocca) and are now under the interim leadership of youth team manager Alvaro Rubio. As the season progresses, Valladolid’s return to the second tier seems increasingly inevitable, and it might be prudent for the club to start planning for their future in Segunda.
Espanyol: Improving Away from Home
Espanyol, another promoted side from last season, has shown glimmers of hope that they can avoid relegation. While they have been solid at home, their away record has been one of the worst in the division, with just 2 points out of 33 before this weekend. Their recent victory against Alavés this past Saturday marked their first away win of the season, and if Espanyol wants to secure their top-flight status, they will need to replicate this performance more frequently. Under coach Manolo González, Espanyol employs a deep defensive block, allowing the most passes per defensive action in the league. This passive defense can be a double-edged sword, as it often leaves them posing no significant attacking threat. However, the consistent performances of their 23-year-old goalkeeper, Joan García, have been a silver lining. García’s highlight-reel saves have been crucial in Espanyol’s recent upturn, with three wins and two draws in their last six games. His form is a key factor in their battle against relegation.
Leganés: Can Organization Compensate for a Lack of Talent?
Leganés, back in La Liga after a four-year absence, have the smallest revenue and wage bill in the competition. Despite these constraints, they have managed to stay out of relegation spots for much of the season. Coach Borja Jiménez has built a team that is organized, scrappy, and hard to break down. Leganés employs a low-to-mid defensive block and aims to hit opponents on the counter. This strategy has allowed them to secure several draws in away games and some surprising victories, including a win against Barcelona and draws against Athletic and Atletico Madrid. However, their lack of quality in the final third remains a significant drawback, and they are third-worst in the league for goals scored (22). They lack an individual, such as a standout goalkeeper or striker, who can consistently deliver results. If Leganés is to secure another season in the top flight, they will need to maintain their defensive discipline and hope their rivals falter.
Las Palmas: A Turnaround in Trouble
Las Palmas began the season under manager Luis Carrion with a rough start, but things seemed to improve under new manager Diego Martínez. From the moment Martínez took over, Las Palmas won six of their next nine league games, drawing one and losing just two. However, the new year has brought a significant downturn. In 2025, Las Palmas has lost every match except for a draw at home against Osasuna, and their momentum has stalled. The absence of team captain Kirian Rodríguez, who announced he would step away from football indefinitely to undergo chemotherapy following a relapse of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has left a void in their midfield. The recent injury to Fabio Silva, one of their key strikers, has further hampered their efforts. Despite the good form of goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and their strikers, Las Palmas’ defense remains leaky and error-prone. If they are to survive the relegation race, Martínez will need to improve their defensive resilience.
Alavés: Fading Early Promise
Deportivo Alavés started the season strongly, with their physical and direct style under Luis García Plaza shining. However, this early promise was short-lived. After a string of poor results, García Plaza was sacked on December 2, with Alavés sliding dangerously close to the relegation zone. The club, despite his excellent track record, opted for a change to "give an impulse to the team," as stated by club president Alfonso Fernández de Troconiz. García Plaza was replaced by Eduardo "Chacho" Coudet, the former Celta Vigo manager, in a bid to turn the team’s fortunes around. Unfortunately, Coudet has not been able to reverse the slide, and Alavés now find themselves in 18th place. While the team looks slightly stronger collectively under Coudet, they have failed to convert their home dominance into wins against Girona, Celta, and Espanyol. The lack of standout individual performances, apart from striker Kike García, has hindered their efforts. The double pivot of Antonio Blanco and Ander Guevara, a crucial part of last year’s success, has not performed as well, leading to Guevara’s recent benching.
Valencia: The Wounded Giant
Valencia’s sacking of Rubén Baraja and the hiring of Carlos Corberán marked a significant shift for the club under Peter Lim’s ownership. Baraja, a Valencia legend as a player, was dismissed on December 23, after a poor run left the team 19th in La Liga with just two wins from 17 matches. Fans grew restless, and the pressure on Lim intensified, leading to the costly €5 million severance. Corberán, a 41-year-old Valencian with a glowing reputation, was appointed on Christmas Day with a contract until 2027. His tactical acumen and adaptability offered hope, despite his lack of top-flight experience. So far, the gamble seems to be paying off. Corberán’s Valencia are more compact and solid defensively, and they have secured good results, including victories against Real Sociedad, Celta, and Leganés at home, and draws against Sevilla and Villarreal away. Out of all the relegation contenders, Valencia appear to have the best run of form and the strongest, deepest squad. However, the inconsistent form of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who seems to have his head more in Liverpool than Valencia, remains a concern. A return to his previous form could be the decisive factor in Valencia’s relegation battle.
The Road Ahead
With Real Valladolid almost written off, the race to avoid the remaining two relegation spots remains wide open. Alavés and Valencia, despite currently being in relegation spots, have the most talented squads among the relegation contenders. Valencia, in particular, seems to have found a solid team identity under Corberán and is well positioned to escape the drop. Espanyol and Leganés, while lacking in talent, have clear defensive strategies that allow them to grind out results, with Espanyol receiving an extra boost from the excellent performances of Joan García. Las Palmas, on the other hand, face significant uncertainties. They lack a clear team identity, and it remains to be seen if their squad has the talent to compensate for their defensive issues. As the season enters its crucial final months, direct clashes between these teams will be pivotal. The La Liga 24/25 relegation scrap promises to be a thrilling and dramatic affair until the very end.
