The 2003-04 campaign delivered heartbreak for Real Valladolid, with Pucela finishing 18th in La Liga and suffering a crushing relegation after a three-year stay in the top flight, missing safety by just one point. The turbulent season saw a mid-season managerial change to Javier Clemente in a desperate, last-gasp effort to avoid the drop, though they ultimately fell short on the final day against champions Barcelona. Leading the charge through the turmoil was the reliable forward Óscar, whose crucial 10 goals anchored the attack in a difficult but unforgettable chapter for the club's faithful.