The Real Oviedo squad is well aware that attitude, dedication and commitment are elements which are non-negotiable for this club, and the team showed all three in abundance for the 7,614 supporters present at the Carlos Tartiere for tonight's Matchday 23 fixture against Eibar. The encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, which felt like scant reward for the performance put in by the team from the capital of Asturias.
The Head Coach opted for a starting eleven made up of Femenías; Carlos Isaac, David Costas, Dani Calvo, Pierre; Sangalli, Jimmy, Brugman, Viti; Borja Bastón and Samu Obeng, as the team went face-to-face with the side currently third in the Second Division.
A combative Real Oviedo side was clear to see in the first half, with Los Carbayones taking control of the ball and threatening in Eibar's half. Los Azules found themselves getting into good positions repeatedly, with Viti, Sangalli and Carlos Isaac all going close. It would eventually be David Costas who opened the scoring, heading home from a corner to put the Asturians into the lead. Following the strike, Eibar began to dispute possession but Real Oviedo did not drop off, remaining well-positioned defensively and pressing high to force the visitors into mistakes as they tried to play the ball out from the back. Real Oviedo kept going and would see Yoel tip a long-range Brugman shot over the bar. From another set piece, Dani Calvo went close to adding a second, heading just wide. Ziganda's side would go close once more just before the interval, with Carlos Isaac's spectacular volley going narrowly wide.
Real Oviedo emerged just as strongly for the second half, enjoying good possession and chances, and showing defensive solidity. Eibar did begin to become involved in the match as they went in search of an equaliser, but barely threatened Femenías in the home goal. Brugman, Viti, and Dani Calvo had the best chances for Real Oviedo during this period. Ziganda turned to his bench, bringing on first Pombo and Mangel and then Jirka. On what was his first-team debut, Mangel had the best opportunity of the second half, but his header was kept out by Yoel. Lucas and Joni Montiel came on in the final substitutions, just before Tejero equalised for Eibar with a fantastic strike from the edge of the box. Real Oviedo were nonetheless relentless in pursuit of victory, and Pombo went close with a venomous strike from the edge of the area which forced Yoel into another fine stop.
Real Oviedo deserved more than a draw from one of the best performances of the season at the Carlos Tartiere. The team will have a chance to get back to winning ways in Tenerife next time out.
