La Real close to all-time La Liga top 7

La Real are closing on a landmark, a first-ever place in La Liga‘s all-time top seven. According to Diario Vasco, they trail Espanyol by eight points and could erase the deficit this season if recent trends continue.

Founders in 1928/29, they have won 2 Ligas, 3 Copas and 1 Supercopa. After returning in 1967 they rose from 13th to the top 10 on the back of 1980 runners-up and titles in 1981 and 1982.

They climbed to ninth by 1982/83 and passed Zaragoza in 1990/91 to take eighth, where they remain. Back then, Espanyol were 340 points ahead and Sevilla 300, with a 2007 to 2010 relegation widening the gap.

The revival after promotion under Martín Lasarte 16 years ago, and the Imanol era, have reversed the trend. Espanyol last outscored La Real in 2018/19, before a 31-point swing in 2019/20, Espanyol’s relegation in 2023 and La Real’s fourth place and 60-point 2023/24 shrank the deficit to 15.

Progress slowed thereafter. They were within three midway through 2024/25, yet last season finished with both on 46, La Real 10th and Espanyol 11th.

This campaign began with the same 11 to recover and three have already gone after victory in Mestalla. A more forgiving run brings Deportivo, Málaga, Levante, Rayo and Racing before 22 November, while Espanyol face Atlético, Villarreal and Athletic. Given the squads, La Real should complete the ‘sorpasso’ this season.

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”