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Real Oviedo Fall To An Unfair Defeat Against Espanyol

Los Azules put in a superb first-half performance and deserved more following a disallowed Dani Calvo goal

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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.
Match summary
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona
LALIGA HYPERMOTION · M40
2
-
1
Stage Front Stadium
Real Oviedo
Real Oviedo
Line-ups
Joan Garcia photo
01Joan Garcia
31Leo Román
S. Gómez photo
03S. Gómez
07Viti
06Cabrera
12Dani Calvo
B. Olivan photo
14B. Olivan55
15Luengo
El Hilali photo
23El Hilali
21Pomares76
Puado photo
07Puado80
08S. Cazorla
Keidi Bare photo
08Keidi Bare
11Colombatto76
Aguado photo
18Aguado80
16Seoane
29A. Roca63
20Masca64
Pere Milla photo
11Pere Milla80
25Borja S.65
Braithwaite photo
22Braithwaite
14Alemâo85
Substitutes
José Manuel González Álvarez
Luis Miguel Carrión
Pacheco photo
13Pacheco
01Braat
Oscar Gil photo
02Oscar Gil80
24Lucas
04Victor Ruiz80
05Luismi
F. Calero photo
05F. Calero
06Jimmy
Rubén S. photo
24Rubén S.55
10Camarasa
38Ian
13Homenchenko
16Lazo
17Sebas Moyano
Sánchez photo
19Sánchez
22Dubasin65
Roger photo
27Roger
23Abel Bretones76
44Bauza63
09Borja76
Keita Balde photo
09Keita Balde
18Paulino64
39Gaston80
19A. Millan85
Goals
(0 - 1)
Luengo
22
Braithwaite
31
(1 - 1)
Cabrera
62
(2 - 1)
Match officials
Salvador Lax Franco
Referee
Manuel López López
Lineman#1
Carlos Grande Rabadán
Lineman#2
Juan Antonio Campos Salinas
Fourth official
Álvaro Moreno Aragón
Video Assistant Referee
Mario Martín-Consuegra Díaz
Assistant VAR Official