Real Oviedo today faced Real Sporting de Gijón in Matchday 26 in LaLiga Hypermotion. Los Azules went into the encounter off the back of the draw against Eldense at the Tartiere, and were looking to pick up three points against their biggest rivals in order to keep climbing the table. Luis Carrión opted for a starting eleven made up of Leo Román, Viti, Oier Luengo, Dani Calvo, Abel Bretones, Jimmy, Colombatto, Paulino, Sebas Moyano, Dubasin and Borja Bastón.
The match could not have got off to a worse start for Los Carbayones, with Nacho Méndez scoring a wondergoal from range to open the scoring in just the 2nd minute. The hosts pressed in the opening stages, but Real Oviedo gradually began to gain territory in the opponent's half. In the 27th minute Paulino de la Fuente would go close, but he couldn't apply the finishing touch to Abel Bretones' fine cross. Five minutes later, the winger again threatened, but his header went just over the bar.
Things continued in a similar fashion after the break, with Los Azules continuing to dominate. Paulino had another two good chances to make the score 1-1, but his shots went over the bar. With Real Oviedo threatening consistently, the first of two controversial refereeing decisions not to award penalties arrived. Sebas Moyano was brought down inside the area in the 63rd minute, but the referee decided to award a free kick. Alemão, Borja Sánchez, and Santi Cazorla entered the fray as the team looked to turn things around. The Brazilian forward threatened an equaliser, but he was denied by a last-ditch block.
Now in the final stages, the referee would once again be the centre of attention. Paulino was brought down inside the box, and the VAR assistants brought the foul to referee González Esteban's attention. Despite going to the monitor and seeing the incident, the official still decided not to award the penalty, leaving the Real Oviedo players incredulous and without any idea of the reasoning behind his decision. Carrión's side were relentless in their efforts and continued attacking right until the final whistle, but were ultimately unable to find the equaliser.
Real Oviedo left El Molinón - Enrique Castro Quini empty-handed, but with their heads held high and proud of the performance they had put in, particularly when coming up against all possible obstacles.
