There was no better way to get back to normality at the Carlos Tartiere than with the derby against Sporting de Gijón, with 21,056 fans cheering Real Oviedo on and filling the stands with the colour blue.
Femenías; Lucas, Costas, Dani Calvo, Mossa; Viti, Brugman, Jimmy, Borja Sánchez; Obeng and Borja Bastón was the starting eleven selected by Cuco Ziganda to start the match against Real Oviedo's biggest rival. The match saw a clash of styles and was marked by its intensity, with Real Oviedo growing as the minutes went by.
The first half began with the away team looking to control the ball, but they barely threatened Femenías in the home goal. Real Oviedo, meanwhile, were very well organised and showed their defensive strength, which allowed them to deal with the visitors' attacks, make the most of quick transitions in play and look to threaten down the wings. Obeng sent a warning shot in the twentieth minute, with Mariño claiming his fine effort at the second attempt. In the 28th minute Borja Sánchez swung a ball in to the back post, where Lucas volleyed home to unleash mayhem in the Tartiere stands and give the lead to the team from the capital of Asturias. After breaking the deadlock Ziganda's team began to slow the game down and take charge of the ball, with a lot of possession just outside the opposition box. Real Oviedo went in for halftime with a 1-0 lead.
After the break, and owing to their need to equalise, the away side looked to pin Real Oviedo back in their own half, but Ziganda's team showed their defensive know-how once more to deal with the danger. Los Azules were creating more going forward, with Viti, Obeng, and Borja Bastón going closest to doubling the lead. Ziganda brought on Sangalli and Javi Mier to freshen the team up, before the opposition levelled in the 82nd minute. Ziganda brought Pombo on for the final minutes, which saw the home team not settle for the point and search relentlessly for the winner.
A point felt like scant reward for Los Azules, after producing a match full of pride, courage, and determination at the Carlos Tartiere.
