Depor took the Segunda title by storm last season, comfortably finishing as champions and returning to where their fans believe they belong.
The club last graced La Liga just a season earlier but left the premier division a shamed side, a catastrophic mess. Financial worries had intensified and goal-shy tactics surmounted in one of the darkest days in the illustrious recent history of the Galician giants as they were relegated.
Jose Luis Oltra stepped in to piece together a fallen club, one which had been devastated by the seasons of overspending and flirting with success. The days of Roy Makaay and Walter Pandiani seemed oh so far away for a team who had scored just 31 La Liga goals beforehand.
As opposed to clubs who continue to slump and search for sympathy, Depor came together and ensured an immediate return to the top tier, replacing those tears of agony with ones of joy. Oltra must take a lot of credit for the epic turnaround.
It was he who plead for patience at the beginning of his reign but managed his goal within 12 months. He gave the passionate Riazor the style of football which had been long forgotten since the mundane attack-shy season gone before. Players such as Bruno Gama, Diego Salomao, 14 goal striker Lassad and Mexican Andres Guardado returned not only the level of football needed to sustain a club of Depor’s size but more importantly pride.
Since then however the club have let two of their key players leave. Defender Diego Colotto, who had performed so vehemently with Manuel Pablo at centre back, has left for Espanyol whilst Guardado joined Valencia in May. With the most assists last year, Guardado will be the greatest loss as he was capable of truly special things with the ball at his feet.
Nevertheless, the club has brought in a quartet of players from Sporting Lisbon. Salomao has signed on for another year, extending his loan whilst Andre Santos and Evaldo join him. Young striker Pizzi will link up with the team from a Portuguese side too after Braga agreed to his loan.
On top of those signings, Depor can also rely on the experience of captain Juan Carlos Valeron and goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia.
A wrath of big names and exciting players make up the majority of this Deportivo team who come up with plenty of confidence. Regardless of how well the new boys settle in, plenty of players who performed well last season are capable of stepping up in their place.
To expect miracles from Deportivo would be silly but a resurgence fuelled from their terrific promotion campaign is likely, especially as the Riazor will be filled week in week out.
Last Season:
Segunda Division: 1st (Champions)
Copa del Rey: Round of 32 (lost to Levante 5-4 on agg)
Signings:
In:
Andre Santos, Evaldo & Diego Salomao all loan from Sporting Lisbon
Pizzi loan from Braga
Abel Aguilar loan from Hercules
Out:
Diego Colotto free to Espanyol
Andres Guardado free to Valencia
Pablo Alvarez free to CD Lugo
Claudio Morel free to Independiente
David Rochela loan to Racing
Gorka Azkorra free to CD Guadalajara
One to Watch: Juan Dominguez or Alberto Rodriguez
Prediction: 11th
