Real Oviedo went to Montilivi today with the aim of battling for a playoff place with opponents Girona. Ziganda opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with Brugman coming back into the side, but the team struggled in the early stages. The Catalans played at a high tempo right from the kick-off, and would eventually make the score 1-0 in the tenth minute, with Baena volleying home the rebound from a set piece. Ziganda then decided to alter his formation, moving Luismi back into the heart of the backline. The team began to feel more comfortable with five at the back and started to get forward more, albeit without any clear opportunities. Luismi fired over the bar and Viti had another chance, before Jimmy was denied by the keeper in what was the best opportunity of the first half for the Asturians. The home side went in for the interval with a 1-0 lead.
Los Carbayones did not come under any great pressure defensively at the start of the second half, but nor did they create much in attack prior to the arrival of Borja Sánchez and Joni Montiel into the fray. The team's playing tempo picked up, and they did begin to threaten. However, just as the team was pushing forward in search of the equaliser, Stuani made the score 2-0. Real Oviedo hit back immediately, with Borja Sánchez running onto a fine long ball in behind the defence from Joni Montiel before converting. The Asturians kept trying to the death, but would go home empty-handed.
This was a tough defeat to take, and the second loss in a row. The team will train upon arrival in Oviedo at around 14:00 tomorrow.
