Real Oviedo 0 Bilbao Athletic 0

Stalemate at Carlos Tartiere

Real Oviedo were held to a goalless draw by a gritty and determined Bilbao Athletic side who frustrated their hosts at the Carlos Tartiere.

After last week’s goal fest at Ponferradina Sergio Egea made three changes to the starting line up with Borja Gomez, Johannesson and Linares coming back in, in place of Christian Rivera, Fernandez and Kone.

Oviedo made a bright start and created the games first chance on 7 minutes and it was a good chance. Linares played in Toche who was clean through on goal but Remiro came out to narrow the angle and block well. It was a sign of things to come for Toche who was to have a frustrating afternoon. The next chance came midway through the first period when Susaeta shot from outside the area and Toche was close to getting a toe on the ball as he tried to divert it goal wards. Carlos Pena was doing his usual bursts up the left hand side and unleashed a pile driver from the edge of the box but his effort went inches wide. As the half went on though the visitors were gaining more and more possession and looking to break when they could. They are the lowest scorers in the league and this was telling as they were failing to carve out any real chances despite their growing possession. Unai Lopez with their best effort from a free kick after Linares had flattened Villalibre on the edge of the box.

Into the second half and the home side were looking to show more intent. Susaeta fired in a low cross for Vila who slid his effort goal wards but Remiro saved bravely at the feet of the midfielder. Moments later and Hervias was next to test the impressive keeper with a curling effort from the edge of the box but Remiro was equal to it.

Bilbao Athletic created a decent opening on 55 minutes but Unai Lopez effort from just inside the area was saved by the diving Esteban. Oviedo were playing with a higher tempo in the second half but were unable to breakdown the stubborn youngsters defence. Substitute Aguirre fired in a low cross that caused panic but the visitors cleared the danger and the ball wasn’t falling for Los Carbayones. The visitors then broke up field and again Lopez forced Esteban into a great save. Oviedo were getting more and more desperate for the goal and came close to getting it three minutes from time. Again it was Aguirre from the left who played in to fellow sub Kone and he teed up Toche who shot first time from 8 yards only for it to be deflected over the bar. Replays showed it was a magnificent block from Yerey in the visitors defence. It was a superb piece of defending and in truth summed the visitor’s attitude up. Toche had one more half chance in stoppage time when his diving header from inside the D went wide but the whistle sound and the game ended goalless.

Despite the frustration of not scoring we must take the positive of a clean sheet against a well-organised side who defended well and looked to counter attack. Oviedo move up to seventh place in the table and next week travel to face Numancia.
Hala Oviedo!