In search of the second consecutive victory of the season. This is how Real Oviedo arrived at Skyfi Castalia. The blues faced this match against CD Castellón, corresponding to matchday number 2 of LaLiga Hypermotion, after beating RC Deportivo de La Coruña in the opening matchday by 0-1 and with the clear objective of harvesting a victory again. For tonight’s match, the coach of the Oviedo team, Javi Calleja, introduced several new players in the starting eleven and started with: Aarón Escandell, Lucas, Oier Luengo, Dani Calvo, Rahim, Del Moral, Sibo, Dotor, Sebas, Hassan and Alemão.
Still. That’s how both teams started from the opening whistle. A bold Oviedo team constantly looking for the opponent’s goal led to Alemão being brought down twice in the first 10 minutes. However, the referee did not consider that both attempts were worthy of a penalty and the score remained level. After the Asturians started well, Schreuder’s men began to grow with the ball and enjoy the best opportunities. Despite this, a confident Aarón Escandell dealt with the dangerous actions without too many problems and the visiting team’s goal remained at zero.
In the 30th minute, Dani Calvo fell in the area due to a hold by a CD Castellón defender and the penalty was awarded. When Sebas Moyano was about to take the penalty, referee González Esteban received a call from the VAR to review the action. After seeing the replay, the referee disallowed the penalty to the delight of the home fans. The first half, which had had everything, was entering its final stretch and Alemão then had the clearest chance for Real Oviedo. The Brazilian was unable to finish off a pass from Hassan, after a great individual play by the winger, and the match went into the break with the score at 0-0.
After the restart, Alberto Del Moral had a great chance with his head but his shot went high over the goal defended by Crettaz. As the minutes passed, the home team regained control of the ball and Javi Calleja introduced a double substitution. Cazorla and Masca came on to replace Dotor and Hassan, although the game plan did not change. An impeccable Aaron Escandell kept Real Oviedo from scoring and prevented the home team from scoring with some very good saves that made him the man of the match for the Oviedo team.
In the final stretch, Paulino, Paraschiv and David Costas entered the game while Castellón did not stop trying. However, Javi Calleja’s team was able to hold on and thus take a point that is very valuable considering the course of the match.
Four out of six possible points. That is the balance for the Carbayones in this league start. Now, it is time to think about the home opener against Racing de Santander where Carlos Tartiere hopes to celebrate the first victory of the season in the municipal stadium of Oviedo.