This year River Plate finished dead last in Argentina's Apertura, the worst season in its history. River finished in 19th place, with just two wins, eight draws and nine losses, for a total of 14 points in 19 matches. It is a remarkable historical dubious achievement by one of the dominant clubs in Argentine Football, especially after winning the title the previous season. I am curious about historically bad seasons by other traditional big and dominant clubs. Surely the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus, Manchester United, Penarol, Sao Paulo, Celtic and so on must have had some horrible seasons as well. So, whether you are a supporter or a foe of a 'big' club, please let us know about their worst historical efforts.
For Boca Juniors, the worst season was in 1949. They were in last place for most of the season, and only managed to avoid relegation after winning their last match to finish just one point ahead of Huracan and Lanus. They ended up tied with Tigre for 15th place out of 18 teams, with 10 wins, 7 draws and 17 loses. BTW: River Plate was not relegated this season, as Argentina now has a system in which teams are relegated based on a three year average.
Man Utd were relegated in 1974, just 6 years after winning the European Cup. They finished 21st out of 22 with just 32 points.
Inter finished 17th, one place from relegation, in 1994. Man Utd has already been mentioned. Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have never been relegated whilst they have been a big club. Nor Real or Barca. Nor Rangers or Celtic. Atheltico Madrid's stint in the second tier is the worst for a big Euro club in a while (and they aren't that big).
I already checked for Real Madrid. Their worst season ever was in 1947-48. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Liga_1947–48 11th on 14... and Barça champion.
Newcastle Jets won the A-League Grand Final last year and are now sitting at the bottom of the table this year. That's pretty horrible, if you ask me.
I believe in order to get automatically relegated they need to finish in 19th or 20th, and for relegation playoffs they have to place in 17th or 18th. All this based on a three year span, which Im sure theyre safe at least for this seasons relegation race.
Right. River finished in 20th place out of 20 teams. They are not in danger of being relegated for now, as they finished first the previous season. The two teams with the worst average over three years get relegated automatically, while those with the next two worst averages go to a playoff against the 3rd and 4th place teams of the second division.
What is remarkable about the 2008 apertura is that three of the traditional five big teams finished near the bottom. Racing (14th), Independiente (18th) and River (20th) Following are the worst seasons by Buenos Aires traditional 5 big teams: Boca Juniors: 1949 (15th out of 18) 1984 (16th out of 19) River Plate: 1983 (18th out of 19) * Apertura 2008 (20th out of 20) Independiente Clausura 2002 (20th out of 20) Apertura 2008 (18th out of 20) Clausura 2001 (17th out of 20) Racing Club Apertura 2000 (20th out of 20) Clausura 2008 (20th out of 20) Clausura 2006 (18th out of 20) Metropolitano 1983 (17th out of 19) ** Metropolitano 1982 (16th out of 19) San Lorenzo 1981 (17th out of 18) *** Clausura 1992 (19th out of 20) Clausura 1996 (19th out of 20) 1980 (16th out of 19) *The system of averaging was instituted in 1983, saving River from relegation. (Boca, River and Independiente were never relegated.) **Racing was relegated based on average in 1983. After coming up short in 1984, they returned to first division in 1985. ***San Lorenzo was relegated in 1981, the first 'big' team to go down to Argentina's 2nd division. They returned to first division the following year.
That means if past year is averaged they are #10. Which means they could finish next year at #20 (for the Open & Closing Seasons - Apertura & Clausura) and average #15. Then they could have that third year have a #20 Opening Season but then finish #15 - and probrably squeak by as a #16 (and avoid any relegation playoff.) I think
When they won the league in 1992, Leeds finished in 17th the following season with only two points and 8 goals the difference between them and Crystal Palace who were the highest relegated team.
Depends on how you rank them. The top five based on popularity, (polls asking which club people support) 1) Boca 2) River 3) Independientre 4) Racing 5) San Lorenzo All from Buenos Aires. (Avellaneda is a suburb of Buenos Aires). They are followed by the two teams from Rosario, (Rosario Central and Newell's Old Boys), and then the two teams from Cordoba, (Belgrano and Talleres). The top 9 teams based on local (1st division) and international titles: 1) Boca (Buenos Aires): 24 local, 18 international (plus 7 amateur) 2) River (Buenos Aires): 33 local, 5 international (plus 1 amateur) 3) Independiente (Avellaneda): 14 Local, 15 international (plus 2 amateur) 4) San Lorenzo (Buenos Aires): 12 local, 2 international (plus 3 amateur) 5) Racing (Avellaneda): 7 local, 4 international (plus 9 amateur) 6) Velez Sarsfield (Buenos Aires): 6 local, 5 international 7)Estudiantes (La Plata): 4 local, 5 international (1 amateur) 8)Rosario Central (Rosario): 4 local, 1 international 9)Newells Old Boys (Rosario): 5 local Top ten based on total points accumulated in Argentina's 1st division professional league matches:* 1) River Plate 2) Boca Juniors 3) Independiente 4) San Lorenzo 5) Velez 6) Racing 7) Estudiantes 8) Newells 9) Rosario Central 10) Huracan *Ranked before the tournament that has just finished. Estudiantes might have passed Racing this season, they were very close.
Inter won Uefa cup in 94 despite finishing 17th. I've no idea about circumstance but I guess it wouldn't be that embarrasing if Serie A was tight and they lost a few games towards the end of the season that sent them tumbling down the table. How about Leverkusen in 02/03, went from almost winning a treble to battling relegation in the space of a few months (along with their two star players leaving). Leeds are a big club that are facing tough times at the moment, I mean if finishing bottom of the top tier is humiliating then what is finishing midtable in the third tier?
OK... an interesting one here... Manchester City... they're not 'dominant' nor are they a 'top' club but they are certainly 'big' and very, very rich... but, until a couple of days ago. Ok, ok... I know they don't really count but they are one of the world's richest clubs and the team that pipped Robinho from under Chelsea's noses. To see them in the relegation zone was pretty funny.