Harsh Result at the Ciudad de Valencia

Today saw another matchday in LaLiga Hypermotion for Real Oviedo. Following the setback in Burgos last time out, Los Azules were on the road once more, with the clear aim of securing the first victory of the campaign. For today's match against Levante UD at the Ciudad de Valencia, Álvaro Cervera opted for a starting eleven made up of Leo Román, Luengo, Dani Calvo, David Costas, Abel Bretones, Viti, Luismi, Colombatto, Sebas Moyano, Paulino and Borja Bastón.

 

Los Carbayones emerged for the encounter with a very clear gameplan right from the outset, and Paulino de la Fuente would be the first to fire a warning shot, his 10th-minute effort from the edge of the area going just over the bar. The decision to use three centre backs bore fruit, and Levante were unable to threaten Leo Román in the Real Oviedo goal. Borja Bastón went close just before the half-hour mark as he met Sebas Moyano's low cross, but his side-foot effort struck the upright and the score remained 0-0.

 

Real Oviedo continued to be the more dangerous side during the opening forty-five minutes, but couldn't quite get their reward. Bastón got on the end of a fine individual piece of play from Viti Rozada, but was unable to find the back of the net, and the two teams went in for halftime with the score 0-0.

 

The start of the second half saw some justice served, as Real Oviedo did finally manage to take a deserved lead. Colombatto clipped an excellent ball into the box, which Dani Calvo guided back across goal for Bastón to turn into an empty net and make the score 1-0. However, the good news would only last two minutes before Santiago Colombatto received a second yellow card. The Argentinian was dismissed for two very highly-debated yellow cards, meaning that the Asturians went down to ten men.

 

Jimmy came on in place of Paulino de la Fuente as the team reorganised, and the game's pattern changed. Levante's numerical advantage was noticeable during the second half, and Bouldini converted the equaliser in the 64th minute. The Asturians continued to withstand the home attacks, and it would be Oier Luengo who would go closest to providing a winning goal. Sebas Moyano's free kick into the area was headed back across goal by Dani Calvo, and Luengo's header smashed against the crossbar. Real Oviedo were unlucky once more in their attempts to find the winning goal.

 

With the match entering its final stages, Masca was brought down inside the penalty area, but the referee waved play on, prompting protests from Álvaro Cervera's side. Levante UD looked to find a winner in stoppage time, but Real Oviedo stood strong and managed to earn a point, albeit one which felt like scant reward for their performance.