Last update July 30, 2023 by colgadosporelfutbol
Today it would be unthinkable. But there was a time when a whole Real Madrid flirted with relegation to Second Division.
There are three teams that have played every edition of the National League Championship from its creation in the season 1928-1929: Real Madrid, FC Barcelona Y Athletic Club de Bilbao.
But nevertheless, all of them have suffered on occasion to keep the category. The FC Barcelona, in fact, He reached down season 1933-1934, but an extension of teams allowed to continue in First. The Athletic He had trouble on more than one occasion. The most recent, In the season 2006-2007 in which He was saved in the last game against Levante.
Today we remember the time he was closer to the drop Real Madrid. It was in the 1947-1948, with a stadium Chamartín (now she called Santiago Bernabéu) newly opened. Precisely Santiago Bernabeu He was the president of the club merengue not going through a good moment in sports, much less.
Meringues suffered painful losses that were getting in the bottom of the ranking. The Real Oviedo He had endorsed a 7-1 and Celta and Gimnastic de Tarragona They had expired in fief by madridista 1-4 Y 1-3 respectively.
Santiago Bernabéu took a turn rudder in the sports management and hired Michael Alexander Keeping, an experienced in English football. The Real Madrid he had built a seat stadium 80.000 spectators had 40.000 partners, but nevertheless, He was in serious danger of being relegated to Second Division.
When Real Madrid was about to experience relegation
On the day 20 (then the championship consisted of 26 total), whites were occupied penultimate and relegation. All alarms were on and at all stages playing the team from the capital was greeted with chants of “The second, the second, the second!” by rival supporters.
A win against Sevilla Madrid allowed him to leave the relegation zone in the day 21, but the team no longer win any more match in the following 4 days so it came to the last with the obligation to beat Real Oviedo at home. And it was not an easy rival. The carbayón had set a fearsome attack at that time known as 'Electric front', with players like Emilín, LANG O Herrerita.
"A first stadium, A second team "
Days before, She was published in a newspaper of Barcelona a note in derision by fans FC Barcelona with the slogan 'Rest in peace Real Madrid, a first -class field and a second team ". Legend has it that Santiago Bernabéu took the day in question and taught his players and his coach to motivate and work.
The 11 April 1948 the Real Madrid He achieved victory against Real Oviedo Chamartin by 2-0 with doublet Pruden, and saved the category. Gradually he was forging a legendary team that years later would dominate Europe but, like all, He had its critical time and was very close to descend.
