2007–08 RCD Espanyol season

2007–08 was Espanyol’s second season under the leadership of Ernesto Valverde, who had led them to the UEFA Cup final in his first season in charge.[2] Despite this success, they did not qualify for European competition in 2007–08, when they would compete domestically in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

The season began poorly, with a 1–0 home defeat by Real Valladolid at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on 26 August, courtesy of a second-half goal from Joseba Llorente.[3] Things improved after this shaky start, with a 2–2 draw against Real Betis at Manuel Ruiz de Lopera followed by the club’s first win of the campaign, a 1–0 home victory over Getafe.[4]

Periquitos lost their next game, against Recreativo de Huelva at Nuevo Colombino on 22 September, with an early goal from Albert Riera cancelled out by Javi Guerrero’s second-half brace for the hosts.[5] However, this was followed by a long unbeaten run, with Blanquiazules securing nine wins and seven draws in their next sixteen games across all competitions. This run included a 2–1 home win over Real Madrid on 20 October, a 1–1 home draw with Barcelona on 1 December, and a 3–2 aggregate victory over Deportivo de La Coruña in the Copa del Rey round of 32.[4] Espanyol’s good form left them 3rd in the table in early January, in the running for a UEFA Champions League qualifying spot.[6]

The run finally came to an end on 13 January with a 1–0 loss to Almería at Estadio del Mediterráneo thanks to a late winner from Kalu Uche.[7] Three days later, Periquitos exited the Copa del Rey with a penalty shoot-out loss to Athletic Bilbao, following 1–1 draws in both legs of their round of 16 tie.[4]

In a dramatic reversal of their form, Blanquiazules would win just three games for the rest of the season: 1–0 against Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Pérez in February, and at home against Valencia and Mallorca in March. Following the Mallorca game, they recorded just three draws and seven losses in their final ten games of the campaign, with a rare highlight being a 0–0 draw against Barcelona at Camp Nou on 19 April.[4] Espanyol’s poor form saw them drop to 12th in the table by the end of the season.[8]

On 28 May, Valverde was appointed coach at Super League Greece club Olympiacos on 28 May.[9] In his place, the club appointed Tintín Márquez, who had been assistant manager since 2004, serving under both Valverde and his predecessor Miguel Ángel Lotina.[10]

Last updated on 20 January 2024.[1][11][12]