Osasuna 0 Real Oviedo 0

Stalemate at El Sadar

Real Oviedo picked up a valuable point from their trip to a snowy Pamplona.

It was backs to the walls for Los Carbayones for the vast majority of this game as we were under the cosh for much of the contest but held firm for a 0-0 draw.

Coach Egea was forced into changes from last week with Jon Erice suspended so there was a surprise recall for Omgba who made his first appearance since September. In fact it was a whole new midfield as Jonathan Vila was injured so in stepped Cristian Rivera. There were two other unforced changes with Hervias and Borja Valle coming in to replace Toche and Aguirre.

Despite a bright start from the home side there was no chances to speak of early on as there tactic of getting the ball out wide was failing with the final ball into the box letting them down. In fact the first chance of any note fell to Oviedo albeit a half chance, Pena played a low ball into Kone on the edge of the box and he swivelled before firing over. After that it was backs to the wall for Oviedo however all Osasuna had to show for their first half efforts was two attempts from distance from Roberto Torres. The first going wide and the second was straight at Esteban.

The second half was livelier and there were more chances than the first half however the pattern of the game remained the same with Osasuna on top.

Torres curled a free kick just over the bar on 48 minutes before four minutes later came the games first real chance when Kenan drove down the left hand side and beat the challenge of Verdes before trying to beat Esteban low at his near post but the veteran stopper was equal to it.

Torres was a constant threat and was willing to shoot at any opportunity. His deflected effort had Esteban worried just after the hour mark but thankfully it went wide. A minute later and probably the best chance of the game when substitute Nino latched onto a Torres back heel and was clean through on goal but again Esteban came to Oviedo's rescue with a smart save low down to his right. Osasuna could not be faulted for effort, they kept going and another chance fell Torres way with eight minutes remaining and this time from inside the area but his side-footed effort went inches wide of the post. Oviedo in truth offered nothing in terms of chances at all in the second half although only a lack of control from Omgba ended a potentially threatening counter attack. You can’t blame the midfielder for his lack of sharpness that the situation required as he had put a shift in and was clearly tired by the end.

Oviedo stood firm and the game ended 0-0. It is a good point from a very difficult game at one of the pre season favourites for promotion. This result lifts us up to second place although Cordoba has the chance to reclaim second spot when they play tomorrow.

This game also brings us to exactly the halfway point in the season and we begin playing the fixtures for a second time next week starting with a repeat from the season's opening game with a trip to Lugo.

　

　
Hala Oviedo!