La Liga: mixed fortunes for promoted teams

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the Segunda División was able conclude after a short break and SD Huesca, Cadiz and Elche claimed the coveted places in La Liga. 

It’s All Sport To Me looks at how this was achieved and how their current La Liga campaigns have played out. 

Huesca, Cadiz and Elche earn promotion to top-flight

Despite losing 14 games last season – the second most out of teams in the top half – Huesca claimed the Segunda title ahead of Cadiz. 

However, they won 21 matches including big wins at home against Elche and earned draws against the Los Franjiverdes and Cadiz. 

Former Leicester City forward Shinji Okazaki ended as their top-scorer with 12 goals. 

Photo: Shinji Okazaki

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Cadiz were pipped to the title by a solitary point but their promotion was underpinned by the best defence in the Segunda with just 39 goals conceded. 

Having lost only four games in the first half of the season Álvaro Cervera’s side scraped over the line, losing their final three matches. 

Elche edged into the play-offs ahead of Rayo Vallecano after a strong second half of the campaign. At the halfway point they were languishing in eighth with just eight wins but a last-day win over Real Oviedo sealed their place. 

They were pitted against Real Zaragoza and despite playing with 10 men for an hour held on for a draw in the first leg before a late Nino goal saw them through to the final. 

History repeated itself against Girona in the final as, after a goalless first leg, another late goal this time from Pere Milla saw José Rojo ‘Pacheta’s men claim promotion. 

Photo: José Rojo ‘Pacheta

Despite leading Elche into La Liga having taken over in 2018 with the club in the third tier, the popular coach was relieved of his duties. His replacement was Jorge Almirón, a man who had never managed in Spain but had success in his native Argentina and Brazil.

Huesca and Elche find life tough but Cadiz impress 

Segunda champions Huesca have struggled the most in 2020/21 La Liga, earning just one win against Alaves and lost a 3-1 lead at Granada in stoppage-time to sit rock-bottom albeit just three points from safety. 

Cadiz have impressed, becoming the first promoted team to earn wins over Real Madrid and Barcelona in the first half of the season and currently sit eighth although without a goal in four games.

Photo: Cadiz win over Real Madrid

In a congested lower half of the table, Elche find themselves 15th, a solitary point above the relegation zone on the back of a draw against reigning champions Real Madrid. 

In the matches against each other, Elche drew at home against their fellow promoted sides while Cadiz won impressively at Huesca early on. 

Huesca’s draw at Elche was one of nine they have managed this season which will surely have to be converted into wins if they have any chance of preventing an immediate relegation. 

Notable results

Atletico 1-0 Getafe – Luis Suarez scores at the Metropolitano for fifth successive game as hosts end the year top with Getafe making it 18 matches without scoring against Atleti. 

Elche 1-1 Real Madrid – Visitors slip up again as Modric goal cancelled out by Fidel penalty. 

Sevilla 2-0 Villarreal – Lucas Ocampos spot-kick and En-Nesyri hand Villarreal first defeat in 19 matches. 

Granada 2-1 Valencia – Late Jorge Molina goal keeps hosts in European contention with Valencia only out of relegation zone on goal difference as winless win extends to seven. 

Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Real Sociedad – Early Portu goal earns visitors much-needed win against rivals. 

Barcelona 1-1 Eibar – Ousmane Dembele makes goalscoring return from injury but Braithwaite misses penalty as Eibar earn points at Nou Camp for first time. 

Levante 4-3 Real Betis – Jose Morales scores two stunners for Levante who survive Suarez Pier red card before Sergio Canales double sets up grandstand finish.