#real-oviedo

#real-oviedo

He is a player from another galaxy because of the decisions he makes at key moments. He is a decisive figure in moments of definition despite his young age.

The Oviedo stopper has made it clear that while the task is enormous, his team is travelling with belief and pride. Speaking from the press room, the 30-year-old was asked to single out a Barcelona player who could make the difference, and Escandell promptly said, "It would be Raphinha." Capable of beating Barcelona The goalkeeper highlighted Raphinha as the standout threat in the Blaugrana squad, showing the respect Oviedo have for the Brazilian's quality and influence.

Starting with the hosts, with many around the Mestalla left disappointed last season as Valencia were forced to settle for another bottom-half finish among Spain's elite, Carlos Corberan's men know the importance of finding some crucial stability this time around. Suffering last-gasp heartbreak away at Espanyol earlier in the week as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate in Catalonia, the former West Brom boss has seen his squad win just a pair of their first six La Liga appearances.

When the players went out, they were like pfff, what a great atmosphere', Xabi Alonso said at the close of a night so long-awaited many didn't make it, and many of those who did were actually experiencing primera for the first time. At the north end of the Carlos Tartiere, Real Oviedo's fans prepared to reveal another gigantic work of art, 1,800m square metres of tifo sent tumbling across the terrace.

Kylian Mbappe scored his second goal in as many games to hand Real Madrid a half-time lead at Real Oviedo this evening. The Frenchman received Arda Guler's pass, and turned sharply before firing a low drive beyond the dive of home goalkeeper Aaron Escandell. The goal was not without controversy though with Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni crashing into home midfielder Leander Dendoncker with a crunching tackle to win the ball. The Oviedo fans demanded a free-kick but it was not forthcoming.

Aston Villa are prepared to let Leander Dendoncker leave for Real Oviedo on a free transfer, aiming to balance finances due to UEFA's Squad Cost Rules.