Some matches begin in a negative fashion which is extremely difficult to recover from. Michu suffered an injury barely three minutes into the match, forcing Real Oviedo to change their starting tactics and bring on Pereira. Fifteen minutes into the match Real Zaragoza capitalised on the first mistake of the afternoon from Oviedo. Ángel won a challenge against David Fernández and fired the first shot on target into the top corner of the net to give Zaragoza the lead. Real Oviedo responded with a sharp attack, but neither Pereira or Toché managed to finish the chance, before Juan Carlos had to react to prevent a clear chance for the hosts. The first half ended with the dismissal of Héctor Verdés for a straight red card, but with Real Oviedo having a lot of possession and only failing to create clear-cut opportunities in attack.
Óscar Gil came on in place of Linares for the second half, but Oviedo soon found themselves 2-0 down on the scoresheet, with Ángel grabbing his second from the penalty spot. From that point onwards Real Oviedo dominated the play, staying solid in defence, and creating various chances to cut the deficit. Susaeta saw a low shot graze the post, Toché’s header from Susaeta’s cross was diverted wide, and finally Varela’s set piece cross just evaded Torró at the back post. However, from a subsequent free kick, Los Azules did manage to cut the arrears. Varela scored a lovely direct free kick in the final ten minutes of the game, bringing Real Oviedo fully back into contention in the game, and making Real Zaragoza sweat right until the final whistle. Unfortunately, the domination of the match and the dedication of Oviedo’s players, despite their numerical inferiority, were not enough to take the point they deserved in La Romareda.
Óscar Gil came on in place of Linares for the second half, but Oviedo soon found themselves 2-0 down on the scoresheet, with Ángel grabbing his second from the penalty spot. From that point onwards Real Oviedo dominated the play, staying solid in defence, and creating various chances to cut the deficit. Susaeta saw a low shot graze the post, Toché’s header from Susaeta’s cross was diverted wide, and finally Varela’s set piece cross just evaded Torró at the back post. However, from a subsequent free kick, Los Azules did manage to cut the arrears. Varela scored a lovely direct free kick in the final ten minutes of the game, bringing Real Oviedo fully back into contention in the game, and making Real Zaragoza sweat right until the final whistle. Unfortunately, the domination of the match and the dedication of Oviedo’s players, despite their numerical inferiority, were not enough to take the point they deserved in La Romareda.
