European Glory and Domestic Relegation? It's Not Unprecedented and Could Happen Again

The question of which team has gone furthest in a European competition in the same season they were relegated domestically gains relevance this season, with the current situations of clubs like Nottingham Forest and Fiorentina. Both are battling for survival in their respective leagues while competing in Europe: the UEFA Europa League and Conference League, respectively. However, this phenomenon is not new, and there are several historical examples of continental success alongside domestic failure.

One of the most emblematic cases of this dichotomy is Celta Vigo in the 2003/04 season. That year, the Spanish side participated in the Champions League, finishing second in their group against Milan, Ajax, and Club Brugge. The Galicians were only eliminated in the round of 16 by Arsenal. However, their La Liga performance was disastrous, culminating in a 19th-place finish and relegation to the second tier, just one year after securing a fourth-place spot.

Discover more instances of teams relegated in the same season they shone in UEFA competitions, including one that fell to Sporting, in the gallery below: