Deportivo 2016–17 Season

The departure of Lucas Pérez to Arsenal left a significant void in the Deportivo attacking line, and the 2016–17 season proved a season of struggle. Under manager Gaizka Garitano, Deportivo finished 17th — just above the relegation places on goal difference — surviving only on the final day of the season.

Joselu was deployed as the new centre-forward following Pérez’s exit, contributing 9 league goals, but the lack of the departed winger’s directness and quality was felt throughout the campaign. The team conceded 61 goals — the joint-worst defensive record in the division — and only the similarly poor performances of bottom-three sides Granada, Osasuna, and Sporting Gijón prevented what would have been a third relegation in eight years.

The final day drama summarised a season of anxiety: Deportivo needed a result at Riazor against Valencia, while simultaneously needing results elsewhere to go their way. They survived, but the club’s situation — financially constrained, stripped of its best players — pointed towards another difficult campaign ahead.

Season Statistics