A spectacular second half of the season

Valencia CF have a spectacular second half of the season to thank for their reaching the Champions League qualification spots with just one match remaining. Their upturn in form since the turn of the new year has seen them steadily ascend the LaLiga table, whilst competing across three competitions in an exhausting campaign.
 

In fact, in the second half of 2018/19 only champions FC Barcelona and runners-up Atletico Madrid have earned more points than Valencia CF, with 43 and 37, respectively. Their haul has made up for a first half that had left them 10 points off fourth, moving them to being 90 minutes away from clinching the coveted spot.

With the match against Real Valladolid still to play, VCF have claimed 35 points in the season's second phase. That is a number only bettered by them on three occasions since 1997/98, when LaLiga consisted of 20 teams: In 1999/00 (36), 2014/15 (39) and 2001/02 (42). The latter year, they were crowned LaLiga champions.

The achievement has extra merit considering the additional challenges faced by the squad in 2019, as they have reached the Copa del Rey final and the Europa League semifinals.

Last season, VCF finished the season with 73 points, 33 of which were earned in the second half of the season.