How the top 3 leagues in Europe looked 20 years ago

Manchester United were at top of the Premier League 20 years ago
Manchester United were at top of the Premier League 20 years ago

#2 La Liga | Deportivo de La Coruña's sole title

Deportivo's only La Liga title came in the 1999-00 season
Deportivo's only La Liga title came in the 1999-00 season

La Liga season in 1999-00 was memorable for a variety of reasons. Neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid won the title and the season saw the lowest point tally ever amassed by a championship winning side. Deportivo La Coruña won their only first division title, finishing with just 69 points in a tightly contested league which separated the top six by just eight points.

'Super Depor' was coached by Javier Irureta and fired on by goals from Dutch striker Roy Makaay. It was a golden period for Deportivo as they would win the Copa Del Rey in the following seasons while consistently finishing near the top of the table. The 99-00 season saw Barcelona and Valencia finish 2nd and 3rd whereas Real Zaragoza beat Real Madrid to the fourth spot. Espanyol would win the Copa Del Rey beating Atlético Madrid in the final.

20 YEARS LATER

Deportivo's golden period ended in the 2010s as they would suffer relegation from the top flight on three separate occasions, the last being in the 2017-18 season. They haven't been in La Liga since and currently languish in 19th spot in the second tier, which would result in relegation to the third tier if their position does not improve.

Real and Barça would continue to dominate La Liga, with only Valencia and Atlético Madrid winning the league other than the Big Two since Deportivo's triumph. Real Zaragoza are currently second in the Spanish second division whereas Espanyol are still in the top tier, albeit occupying 20th spot in the league table, firmly staring at relegation.

Quick Links