2007–08 RCD Espanyol season explained

Club:RCD Espanyol
Season:2007–08
Chrtitle:President
Chairman:Daniel Sánchez Llibre
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Manager:Ernesto Valverde
Stdtitle:Stadium
Stadium:Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
League:La Liga
League Result:12th
Cup1:Copa del Rey
Cup1 Result:Round of 16
League Topscorer: Luis García (13)[1]
Season Topscorer: Luis García (15)
Prevseason:2006–07
Nextseason:2008–09

The 2007 - 08 RCD Espanyol season was the 77th year in the club's history.

Summary

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]

Squad statistics

Last updated on 20 January 2024.[1] [11] [12] |-|colspan="12"|Players who have left the club after the start of the season:|}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Espanyol Barcelona » Appearances Primera División 2007/2008 . worldfootball.net . 18 January 2024.
  2. Web site: Palop lauds perfect performance. UEFA. John. Atkin. 17 May 2007. 15 April 2018.
  3. Web site: Espanyol Barcelona – Real Valladolid 0:1 (Primera División 2007/2008, 1. Round) . worldfootball.net . 20 January 2024.
  4. Web site: Espanyol Barcelona » Fixtures & Results 2007/2008 . worldfootball.net . 20 January 2024.
  5. Web site: Recreativo Huelva – Espanyol Barcelona 2:1 (Primera División 2007/2008, 4. Round) . worldfootball.net . 20 January 2024.
  6. Web site: Primera División 2007/2008 » 18. Round . worldfootball.net . 20 January 2024.
  7. Web site: UD Almería – Espanyol Barcelona 1:0 (Primera División 2007/2008, 19. Round) . worldfootball.net . 20 January 2024.
  8. Web site: Primera División 2007/2008 » 38. Round . worldfootball.net . 20 January 2024.
  9. Web site: Olympiacos turn to Valverde. UEFA. 28 May 2008. 8 June 2010.
  10. Web site: 'Tintín' Márquez, nou entrenador de l'Espanyol. 'Tintín' Márquez, new Espanyol manager. RCD Espanyol. ca. 2 June 2008. 16 June 2008.
  11. Web site: Espanyol Barcelona » Squad 2007/2008 . worldfootball.net . 20 January 2024.
  12. Web site: Espanyol Barcelona » Appearances Copa del Rey 2007/2008 . worldfootball.net . 20 January 2024.