This was a dream season for Granada. Even as a newly promoted side, they managed to qualify for the Europa League, reaching UEFA competition for the first time in their history. They also reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.
The credit for this has to go to their coach Diego Martinez. For most Spanish football analysts, he is the coach of the season hands down.
Yet, there were some very impressive individuals too. Centre-backs Domingos Duarte and German Sanchez played excellently and formed a great partnership. Yangel Herrera was brilliant in central midfield. Antonio Puertas provided quality in attacking midfield. Roberto Soldado brought experience as he led the line. And the young Carlos Fernandez got better and better as the season went on.
What’s weird about Granada’s season is that there was no real purple patch. They started well with 10 points from their first 15 available, but after that they never won more than two games in a row again all LaLiga season. They never got really hot. They never got really cold. They were just consistent.
Now they face a very tough summer. Firstly, they’ll have to fight to keep a hold of their excellent coach. Then they’ll need to bring in more players so that they can compete in the Europa League, as they’ll have seen the cautionary tale of Espanyol who took the last Europa League spot last season and then got relegated this year.
