Real Oviedo - Athletic Club

Promising midfielder Oier Zarraga and Asier Villalibre got the goals as Athletic Club drew 2-2 with Real Oviedo in the Carlos Tartiere. 

It was a tough, end-to-end game in which both teams suffered in the heat. Nonetheless, it was an important test for the lions, with many players getting vital minutes on the pitch.

Left-winger Iñigo Córdoba had Athletic’s first chance, a powerful shot from outside the area which was turned away by Oviedo keeper Joan Femenías.

After that, Real Oviedo began to grow into the game and went ahead after a well-placed cross saw Athletic right-back Ander Capa chest the ball into his own net.

The linesman had raised his flag for offside, but his decision was overturned by the referee.

The lions reacted immediately. Córdoba started a counter-attack from deep, striker Kenan Kodro received the ball on the left wing and charged into the box before playing the ball into the path of Zarraga, who tucked it away with his left. The two sides went into the break with a goal each.

Athletic went 1-2 up in the 55th minute. A precise cross from Iñigo Lekue was met at the back post by a powerful Villalibre header. The Oviedo keeper could do nothing to stop it. 

A few minutes later, Oviedo equalised. Obeng popped up for Oviedo in the 60th minute with a well-placed left-footed shot.

The game continued to fizz and the referee missed a clear foul on Córdoba in the box by Juanjo Nieto.

Despite the heat, the game was played with a good intensity until the final whistle. Saturday morning, Athletic face their most serious test yet against Eibar in Lezama.