Racing’s fresh start 14 years on | OneFootball

14 years after leaving Spain’s top tier, Racing Santander are readying a fresh start in La Liga. The journey featured relegations, stirring promotions and a financial crisis that almost finished the club.

El Correo reports they play Athletic in Laredo at 19.00 tomorrow, their third friendly after a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad and a 2-0 defeat to Osasuna. Pre-season began on 13 July.

Relegated in April 2012 after defeat in Anoeta, few imagined the ordeal to return. In the run-in to promotion, Athletic links became especially important.

Jokin Ezkieta, Peio Canales, Iñigo Vicente, Asier Villalibre and Manex Lozano arrived on loans or transfers from Lezama backgrounds, and all proved key in the comeback year.

Peio Canales, loaned last season to mature and vital in the ascent, has returned home chasing a first-team role.

Asier Villalibre looks settled at El Sardinero after earlier false starts, scoring 16 with two assists last term. Iñigo Vicente’s third Santander season was his breakout, with around 20 assists and nine goals.

Racing expect at least eight signings before the window shuts on 1 September, and only Sergio Canales has joined so far. Plans could shift if clauses for Jorge Salinas, courted by Barcelona and Atlético, or Gustavo Puerta, pursued by Serie A clubs, are triggered.

Off the pitch, demand is feverish. New memberships opened yesterday, with 375 extra places creating long queues at El Sardinero as some supporters camped for three days.

Source: El Correo