2025 got underway today with an Asturian derby. Real Oviedo began the new year at home with one of the most special matches of the season, coming up against Real Sporting de Gijón. Los Carbayones were looking to get the second half of the season off to the best possible start, and there was a spectacular atmosphere at the Carlos Tartiere. With several absences in midfield, the main talking pointing was Javi Calleja opting to bring in Álex Cardero, with a starting eleven of Aarón Escandell, Oier Luengo, Dani Calvo, David Costas, Pomares, Sibo, Colombatto, Portillo, Cardero, Chaira, and Alemão.

The first 45 minutes of this Asturian derby could be described as an even affair, with very few chances. Neither side knew how to take charge of the encounter, and the first half was dominated by yellow cards, particularly for the visitors. Campuzano, Cote, Diego Sánchez, and Álex Cardero all went into the referee's notebook.

 

Following a first half with little goalscoring action, Hassan came on in place of Álex Cardero, and the second half couldn't have got off to a better start. Colombatto fired an early warning shot, before Hassan sent the fans crazy in the 48th minute, when he'd only been on the pitch for two minutes. Alemão slipped the ball through to the winger, who placed the ball under Yáñez's desperate dive to open the scoring. The match continued in the same fashion, and Real Oviedo kept pushing for a second. Alemão went close to doubling the lead from a difficult opportunity, but was denied by a fine save. Sebas entered the fray in the 73rd minute, just before Real Sporting made the most of one of their only chances to equalise, with Gelabert making it 1-1. Paulino and Paraschiv came on in the final substitutions and Real Oviedo continued pushing, but the winning goal didn't arrive.

 

Javi Calleja's took a bittersweet point from the derby, having gone so close to earning all three.