Real Oviedo were back at the Carlos Tartiere today for the Matchday 39 LaLiga Hypermotion fixture against Real Zaragoza. Los Azules went into the encounter having beaten SD Huesca last weekend and in need of a win in order to return to a playoff place. Head Coach Luis Carrión opted for a starting eleven made up of Leo Román, Viti, Oier Luengo, Dani Calvo, Pomares, Colombatto, Seoane, Borja Sánchez, Paulino, Masca, and Alemão.

 

Within the first five minutes, Dani Calvo had the first clear opportunity of the encounter. The centre back got on the end of a loose ball inside the area, but he was denied by a fine save. Los Carbayones continued to look to make the breakthrough, and in the 18th minute Paulino threatened once more. A piece of fine individual play forced Cristian Álvarez into another good intervention from the winger's left-footed strike. The visitors, meanwhile, tried their luck with several shots from outside the box and from set pieces during the first half, but couldn't find the way through. There were not too many clear chances for either side during the final moments of the first half, and the score was still 0-0 at the break.

 

After the interval, Santi Cazorla came on to help Los Carbayones to build the play, while Dubasin and Sebas Moyano also entered the fray as the team looked for a way through. Luengo went close from inside the six-yard box, before Colombatto's free kick went just over the bar, but the score remained 0-0. Dubasin tried his luck with two shots from range which were off-target, but a turning point in the encounter arrived with Toni Moya's red card. The away team went down to ten men, and Real Oviedo pushed on, finally receiving their reward through Alemão's 86th-minute winner. The Brazilian made no mistake, and the Carlos Tartiere erupted in joy.

 

Today's victory moved Luis Carrión's side onto 61 points and into fifth place in the table. Following this crucial win, the Asturians now go into the coming league fixture against RCD Espanyol full of confidence.