Real Oviedo went into today's encounter with SD Huesca at Estadio El Alcoraz with winning the only option. After three matches without a victory, Los Azules went into Matchday 38 in LaLiga Hypermotion in need of a win in order to stay in the fight for a playoff place. Luis Carrión made changes to the starting eleven, opting for Leo Román, Viti, Oier Luengo, Dani Calvo, Pomares, Seoane, Colombatto, Paulino, Borja Sánchez, Masca and Alemão.

 

The first half passed without too many clear chances for either side, with the hosts looking to dominate possession. One of Los Carbayones' first attacks saw Paulino de la Fuente send the first warning shot just over the bar. The home team looked to threaten down the wings, crossing balls in to Samu Obeng, who had a constant battle with Oier Luengo and Dani Calvo during the first half. Just after the half-hour mark, Masca ran onto a good through ball from Alemão on the counter attack, but his right-footed effort was off-target. The Portuguese forward had another opportunity from a Pomares through ball shortly afterwards which left him one-on-one, but he was unable to open the scoring. Barring a few moments from either side, the first half did not see too much action, and the match remained there for the taking in the second half.

 

After the interval Real Oviedo stepped up the gears, emerging the stronger side for the second half. In the 51st minute Paulino de la Fuente broke the deadlock with a header from a fine Pomares cross. The Asturians took advantage of their first chance of the half to make the score 1-0. Los Azules did not take their foot off the accelerator following the goal, and Masca fired just wide from a counter attack just a few minutes later. The home team pushed forward in search of an equaliser, and Martos had a good chance in the 57th minute. The full back hit a powerful shot from inside the box, but Luengo threw himself in the way to block the effort.

 

Carrión turned to his bench as the minutes ticked by, bringing on Dubasin and Borja Bastón for Masca and Alemão in the 62nd minute. Huesca gave it everything in their search of an equaliser, but Real Oviedo stood firm. In the final stages the referee blew for a Huesca penalty for a handball by Oier Luengo, but VAR overruled the decision. Leo Román also made a fantastic low stop late on to protect the clean sheet. In added time, with the hosts throwing themselves forward in attack, Borja Sánchez sealed the victory, with a fine goal on the counter attack.

 

Today's win provided three crucial points for Luis Carrión's team, who got back to winning ways and moved up to fifth place in the table with 58 points.