Real Oviedo brought Matchday 40 in LaLiga Hypermotion to a close today, going away to RCD Espanyol for an encounter between two playoff contenders. Los Azules went into the match with the aim of making a statement off the back of the 1-0 home win against Real Zaragoza. Head Coach Luis Carrión opted for a starting eleven made up of Leo Román, Viti, Oier Luengo, Dani Calvo, Pomares, Colombatto, Seoane, Cazorla, Masca, Borja Sánchez and Alemao. 

 

The Asturians got off to a flying start at the Stage Front Stadium. Within the first minute, a set piece ended in Masca heading the ball home, but the Portuguese striker was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up. The decision did not alter Real Oviedo's game plan, as they pushed RCD Espanyol back and put in an outstanding first-half performance. Following some fine individual work Alemão was the first to go close before Dani Calvo headed just wide. The hosts, meanwhile, barely threatened Leo Román goal.

 

In the 20th minute, Masca had a good opportunity, but his header was kept out by the keeper. Los Carbayones' persistence eventually paid off, with the reward coming in the form of a 23rd minute opening goal, scored by Oier Luengo. The centre back met Cazorla's corner to beat the home keeper and make the score 1-0. One of the home team's first attacks would see Keidi Bari go to ground in the area in the 32nd minute, and VAR awarded a penalty to the Catalans for a supposed foul by Colombatto. Braithwaite made no mistake from the spot and levelled the scoring.

 

Carrión's side knew how to fight back, and from another set piece, this time in the 38th minute, Dani Calvo scored to restore the Asturians' lead. Just as the players were celebrating, however, referee Lax Franco and the VAR officials ruled that Alemão had been offside. The referee's version was that the Brazilian forward prevented a defender from being able to clear Dani Calvo's header on the goalline. Inexplicably, the goal was disallowed, sparking incredulity from all of the Real Oviedo players and all of the travelling fans, none of whom understood the decision.

 

After going in for the interval with the scores level, Leandro Cabrera then put RCD Espanyol in front, heading home from a corner. The header took an unfortunate deflection off Alemão, leaving Leo Román helpless to stop it. Just when it had seemed that the Asturians could not suffer any more bad luck, it had once again punished them. Dubasin, Paulino, Bretones, and Bastón came on during the second half in an attempt to turn the scoreline around, while Millán also came on for the final minutes, but the draw did not arrive. Colombatto went closest, but Joan García denied him with his face.

 

Despite all the chances created and the fantastic first half, Real Oviedo left Barcelona empty-handed, in a match heavily influenced by refereeing decisions. There is no time to feel sorry for ourselves, and thoughts now turn to the fixture against Andorra and the two 'cup finals' remaining in our battle for a playoff place.