The 2011-12 campaign delivered a triumphant return to the Spanish top flight for Real Valladolid as Pucela secured promotion to La Liga via a thrilling play-off victory. Under the astute management of Miroslav Đukić, the team finished a strong 3rd in the Segunda División with an impressive 82 points, which was not enough for automatic promotion but set up a dramatic play-off run. Leading the charge was the prolific centre-forward Javi Guerra, whose 17 league goals, and a total of 20 across all competitions, proved decisive, especially in the play-off final against AD Alcorcón. This season, built on aesthetically pleasing football and resilience, marked the club's successful fight to end a two-year absence from the top division and remains a defining chapter in Pucela's modern history.