The third LaLiga Smartbank matchday saw Real Oviedo welcome RCD Espanyol to the NMR Carlos Tartiere. The match saw the Asturians fall to a 2-0 home defeat.
Ziganda's side went into today's fixture against one of the one of the most highly-fancied teams in the division with one change, with Lucas Ahijado coming in at left back. The first half saw Real Oviedo well-organised on the pitch, and conceding very few chances to the Catalans. Los Azules entered the game the sharper side, and Obeng had the best opportunity of the first forty-five minutes. Javi Mier, Borja Sánchez and Viti all also had chances to open the scoring, but were unable to take any of them. One of the final passages of play in the first half saw the Real Oviedo players appeal for a handball by one of the away players inside the penalty area.
Real Oviedo once again showed its determination to go after the match after the interval, with Viti being denied by away goalkeeper Diego López. Espanyol took the lead from the penalty spot, before Raúl de Tomás made the most of a mistake at the back by Los Carbayones to add a second for the Catalans a few minutes later. Nevertheless, Los Azules never let their heads drop and began to create danger, but they didn't manage to find a way through to cut the deficit.
Today saw Ziganda's side suffer a first defeat of the season. Next weekend Real Oviedo will travel to the Carlos Belmonte to face Albacete.
