The 1996-97 campaign was a dramatic, season-long fight for survival for Sporting Gijón, culminating in the Rojiblancos securing a tense 15th-place finish in La Liga to maintain their top-flight status. The season was defined by a late managerial change, as Miguel Montes replaced Benito Floro and successfully steered the club to safety on the penultimate matchday with a decisive 3-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano. Leading the charge was the Russian forward Dmitri Cheryshev, whose 8 crucial league goals provided the necessary attacking spark. This nervy, hard-fought campaign, where they battled until the final weeks, remains a memorable chapter that showcased the club's fierce resilience.