Football, like life, is unfair from time to time. Tonight was one of those occasions, as Real Oviedo were unable to claim their deserved reward.
Real Oviedo drew against a Real Zaragoza side who ended the game without their goalkeeper, who had been dismissed for timewasting. The home side’s failure to grab a winning goal denied them a chance to pick up a vital three points to bring themselves back into the playoff picture.
Starting with the same line-up as last week in Tarragona, Real Oviedo grew stronger in the game as the minutes went by. Ratón played a starring role for Zaragoza, denying the Asturian side on numerous occasions. Firstly, he cleared Carlitos’ chance from a ball into the box for a corner, and then he made a double-save to deny first Costas and then Nando. Christian Fernández fired across the face of goal from the back post, before Carlitos had a free kick tipped over the bar for another corner. Juan Carlos intervened to deny Real Zaragoza’s only attempt on goal in the entire match, and Real Oviedo were on top in the game going into the half-time interval.
In the second half, Ratón would again prove to be the key figure. Fernando Hierro brought on Saúl Berjón and Michu in place of Carlitos and Nando, and Real Oviedo surged forward in attack. Toché didn’t quite manage to reach Christian Fernández’s cross from the left wing across the six-yard box, before Michu grazed the upright with a header. Linares had the final chance, shooting across goal but being denied by the keeper. Ratón was dismissed in the final minutes for persistent time wasting.
The match result meant that Real Oviedo picked up one more point before their return to training tomorrow, where they will prepare for the next match, against Córdoba.
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