Background – La Primera title
had not left Madrid for a decade, with either Real Madrid (8) or Atlético
Madrid (2) winning the league throughout the sixties. Barcelona was the last
side from outside of the capital to win the league, but the sixties was a
barren period for the blaugranas, as they struggled with the financial
constraints brought about from building the Camp Nou. The fans of Valencia had
not seen their team win the league since 1947 and whilst the club had won two
Fairs Cups and the Copa del Generalísimo in recent years, it was the league
title that Los Ches coveted. However, as the season wore on, it appeared that
this was a title that nobody wanted to win.
The Story of the Campaign – After
finishing fifth in the two previous campaigns, Valencia surprised the Spanish
game by appointing Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stéfano as coach in the close
season. He had returned to Argentina in 1967 and guided Boca Juniors to the
league title. However, a slow start to the season left Valencia in mid-table
and by week four, Champions Atlético sat at the head of the table. Over the
next twelve weeks, Los Colchoneros and a resurgent Barcelona swapped places at
the top the league on no fewer than nine occasions. Meanwhile, Valencia was
developing a head of steam and victories over Atlético and Barcelona saw them
close the gap at the top. A win at home to Granada and surprise defeats on the
road for Atlético & Barcelona, saw Valencia hit the top for the first time
in week 19. Here Los Ches stayed until an untimely 0-3 defeat at the Calderon,
saw Atlético return to the top in week 24. A week later and Valencia hit the
top again with a 4-0 thumping of Athletic. The run in was a tight affair with
the top three all gaining maximum points, until a costly 0-0 draw at Malaga in
the penultimate week, saw Atlético drop to third, a point behind Barcelona and
two behind leaders Valencia. Valencia knew that if they avoided defeat in the
final match at Espanyol, they would be champions. Any slip up, and the winners
of the Atlético - Barcelona fixture would be crowned champions.