"Vamos, vamos Oviedo" rang around El Toralín today, carrying Real Oviedo to a win which served to help the team bounce back from last Thursday's home setback against Burgos.
Ziganda rotated his team for today's game, making six changes to the starting eleven used in midweek. Today's line-up was made up of Femenías; Carlos Isaac, David Costas, Arribas, Mossa; Sangalli, Jimmy, Brugman, Viti; Obeng and Borja Bastón as Los Azules went into a match against an in-form Ponferradina side, who were unable to recover from the strikes from the team from the capital of Asturias.
The first half saw Ponferradina dominate the play, but Cuco Ziganda's side maintain its defensive organisation and stand up to the threat from the hosts. Los Azules adapted their game to combat the home team and looked to the counter attack to threaten offensively. Obeng put the Asturians into the lead from a Viti cross. A fine combination between Obeng and Borja Bastón would provide the opportunity for the visitors to extend the lead, but the defence just about managed to cut out the pass. Los Carbayones went in for halftime with a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw the two teams go toe-to-toe. The hosts dominated the early stages and managed to grab an equaliser. Ponferradina were lifted by the goal, and kept pushing in search of a second, but they found themselves up against a fine defensive performance from Femenías and the backline. Ziganda's side gradually started to regain territory, and the introduction of Borja Sánchez in the first substitution would see the match enter a new phase, with Real Oviedo controlling the ball and having the best chances. Borja Bastón went close with an overhead kick, while Obeng also had a good chance. Pombo and Jirka came on from the bench, before Borja Bastón did manage to score the winning goal. Dani Calvo came on for Arribas in the final change, and the Real Oviedo defence stood strong against a final flurry from the hosts to secure the three points.
This long-awaited victory for the Asturians saw them bounce back from the midweek defeat and move up into eleventh place, three points away from the playoff positions. Ziganda's side will face Málaga at the Carlos Tartiere on Sunday, with kick-off at 16:00.
