Real Oviedo suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Sabadell in the sixth matchday of the Segunda División. Despite enjoying more possession, Julián Calero's side were outdone by a clinical opponent at the Nova Creu Alta.
The loss leaves the Asturian club in ninth place in the table with 8 points from a possible 15. Their recent form of two wins, one draw and two defeats highlights an inconsistency they must address ahead of their next fixture.
How the match unfolded
Sabadell took the lead in the 23rd minute. A move down the right flank ended with a Joel Priego cross that Gastón Joaquín Valles Velázquez headed home. Before the break, Óscar Sanz doubled the home side's advantage. In the 44th minute, following a pass from Ton Ripoll, the defender beat Aarón Escandell.
Calero made four changes at the start of the second half, bringing on Estanis Pedrola, Mikel Goti, Chris Ramos and Samuel Rodríguez. The reaction came in the 67th minute when Alberto Reina pulled one back for Oviedo with a powerful strike from outside the box. Hope was short-lived. In the 78th minute, substitute Ángel Baena, who had come on for Miki Codina, sealed the win for Sabadell after an assist from Quadri Liameed.
Stats and cards
The numbers tell a story of two halves. Oviedo had 56% of possession but managed only two shots on target compared to Sabadell's seven. The hosts also led in corners (5-1) and committed more fouls (18). In disciplinary terms, Daniel Villahermosa and Carlos Domínguez were booked for Oviedo, while Ton Ripoll and Nikolay Obolskiy received yellow cards for Ferran Costa's side.
The team now turns its focus to preparing for the Asturian derby. The next fixture is at home against Sporting Gijón on 27 September. A key match to get back on track.
Top scorer Pablo Sáenz, with two goals this season, started but could not find the net on this occasion. Oviedo, starting from ninth place, needs to recover the defensive solidity that characterised their start, having conceded only one goal in their first five games before this match.
