Real Oviedo travelled to Andorra with virtually no break following their midweek cup match, in preparation for the first LaLiga SmartBank fixture of 2023. Los Azules went into the encounter at the Estadi Nacional with a starting eleven made up of Braat, Costas, Dani Calvo, Lucas, Abel Bretones, Jimmy, Luismi, Viti, Hugo Rama, Sergi Enrich and Borja Bastón.
The first half would not be a good one for Álvaro Cervera's side, as they were outplayed by the hosts. The first scare arrived within the opening ten minutes, when the referee awarded the home team a penalty for a foul by David Costas. Fortunately, VAR intervened and ruled that the incident had taken place on the edge of the area. However, the let-off would not be enough to get Real Oviedo going, and in the 18th minute some fine individual play from Greek forward Almpanis would see the hosts take the lead.
Los Azules did not threaten Andorra's goal during the first half, aside from a Bretones effort from range, and a Hugo Rama set piece which caused uncertainty in the home defence. A minute before the halftime interval Almpanis would grab his, and Andorra's, second goal of the game, doubling their lead.
Real Oviedo began the second half in a different fashion, pressing high, and creating their first clear chance in the 53rd minute. Jimmy combined with Rama, with the latter sliding the ball through to Bastón, but the forward was unable to convert the one-on-one. The Real Oviedo substitutes proved effective, however, and in the 74th minute Dani Calvo would head home from Koba Leïn's free kick to cut the deficit.
The Asturians would go close to an equaliser. Koba and Abel Bretones combined down the left wing in the 77th minute, with the left back swinging in a cross, but Viti was unable to turn the rebound into the empty net. Obeng also had an opportunity from a corner kick. However, just as a leveller seemed to be getting ever closer, a wonder goal from Bakis would seal a deserved 3-1 win for Andorra.
Real Oviedo will travel home tomorrow, and on Monday the team will begin preparations for Friday's fixture against Deportivo Alavés at the Carlos Tartiere.
