Real Oviedo midfielder Mikel Goti has been named the club's player of the month for September, an award that comes with the team on a two-match winning streak. The player is already looking ahead to the next challenge, a fixture against UD Almería which he describes as "a play-off type game" and for which the blue-and-whites have "a lot of desire".

Oviedo, ninth in the Segunda División table with 17 points from ten games, is coming off wins against Eibar and Ceuta. This positive run leaves them seven points behind the leaders, who happen to be Almería, their next opponent on 24 October. Goti, who scored in the last victory, has outlined the team's philosophy for this decisive match.

Adaptability and humility

"I feel comfortable playing inside, but I adapt to what the team needs," the player stated, emphasising the importance of the collective. Goti insists the key is to "try to have the ball" and, when possession is lost, to act "with humility and solidarity". The midfielder believes the group has "a very big margin for improvement" and is optimistic about the chance to "achieve great things together".

The focus is entirely on the league. Goti made clear the team "does not want to think about the Copa" right now, channelling all efforts into a phase of the season he sees as critical. With a recent run of three wins and two defeats in their last five matches, Oviedo aims to build confidence with a third consecutive victory. The squad, who can check the full schedule on our fixtures page, knows a positive result at the leader's ground would be a major boost for their ambitions.

The upcoming fixture is thus the most important one to date. Goti and his teammates, with Carlos Domínguez as the season's top scorer on four goals, travel to Almería intent on controlling the game and taking a firm step towards the promotion places. The 25-year-old Basque player highlighted that the individual award is a product of collective work and that the key to their good form is the unity in the dressing room. "The award is a reflection of how the group is, everyone pushing in the same direction," stated Goti, who also valued the importance of the fans at the Carlos Tartiere. The match against Almería will be the ultimate test for an Oviedo side wanting to confirm their progress and close in on the promotion places.

The original report is at elcomercio.es