Cervera had warned of the danger that the legs would weigh more than necessary after the cupbearer effort on Wednesday. Football, that science that always offers unexpected scripts, responded with a very different explanation: Oviedo was worse, much worse, than its rival for 70 minutes, from which it staggered out, almost embracing an early defeat, but reacted with an unexpected verve the last 20, in which he even touched the tie. All in all, with their weapons and flaws, a poor match for those from Cervera who see how their flight plan for the second round, aimed at taking a step forward in the table, starts with a flu: 3-1 in Andorra.
There was one thing that was supposed and another that was more of a surprise. The certainty was that Andorra would have the ball. The idea was based on two fundamental principles: that the locals live with the ball and that those from Cervera usually give it up. But what was more surprising was the use that was made of it. From the first moment, Sarabia’s team overcame every line of pressure that the blues proposed.
For the first time in a long time, Oviedo seemed disordered, fragile. In Andorra he had it but not to have it, but in order to disarm the blues, this time in white and green, with remarkable effectiveness.
Cervera had warned in the preview about the fatigue that could affect his team only three days after the enormous cupbearer effort. But, to be honest, it didn’t seem like the deference between the teams was reduced to a physical issue. There was something else. Andorra believed and used more intensity in each action. He also gave the impression of being better placed on the pitch.
After ten minutes, the first scare. Costas mistimed and swept away Almpanis, who by then was already beginning to put on his black beast costume. The referee signaled the penalty spot and the VAR moved the action to outside the area. Oviedo got rid of but did not learn from the experience.
Because Andorra, the owner of the clash, kept pressing, starting each action in attack with a succession of passes that attracted the blue players but always with a few tenths of delay. He wanted to put pressure on Oviedo and he didn’t even bother. Those from Sarabia played without complexes and, almost, without opposition. At 18, the first local blow. Almpanis received in the area after an attack with little difficulty, he cut to the middle, neither Lucas nor Jimmy scared him if he wanted to, and he shot down, close to the post but not very hard, to beat a dislodged Braat.
The goal seemed fair and reinforced local morale, which did not change their bet one iota. Oviedo did try to react, although it took more minutes to do so. He didn’t get to stretch until the last ten minutes of the first act. Before, Costas had avoided Alende’s goal on the line. More a miracle than defensive success.
There we did see a clearing, a moment of arrivals from Oviedo, with a long shot from Bretones, a low cross from Viti and a rebound in the area after a side kick. Little baggage in any case, but less than nothing, which was what had been seen until then. It was then, in a sign of improvement, that the team went to the canvas. Viti lost a ball without complications in the middle and Andorra mounted the counter. The team was poorly planted and did not succeed in defensive action. Almpanis took advantage of the ball without an owner in the area to make the second and send the teams to the locker room with the feeling that the duel was sentenced.
It is not that things changed excessively after the break. Oviedo clung to an isolated action that would open a door in the game. Branch found an opening shortly after returning, Staff ran up and kicked, somewhat forcefully, down, but Lizoain cleared with her body.
The next two were from Andorra, both very clear, to remind them that they were still in command. Calvo’s back and Braat’s reflexes prevented an early conclusion. He then moved the Cervera bench in search of oxygenating a withered team, dejected from the initial whistle. Obeng, Koba, Montoro and Mángel made him want to.
A shortcut to reaction was born from the boots of the Frenchman. In minute 74, Koba sweetly centered a frontal free kick and Calvo imposed size and faith to finish off a dive into the net. He had gone. Fifteen from the end, and without knowing very well how, Oviedo did not have the booty that far away. Another soccer miracle?
The game then became agitated, which did not seem to be a disadvantage precisely for Oviedo. From the shaker came a cross from Koba cleared short by Lizoain and an erroneous definition from Viti with everything in favor, and a shot after Bakis hit the post, and also a header from Obeng, another cross from Koba, which grazed the tie.
Sentence
Oviedo pressed, especially from set pieces, and Andorra put chloroform on him with infinite possessions, turning the game into a giant rondo. When Oviedo was overturned, the sentence came. Bakis found a lane, ran up and fired from afar. He nailed the ball into the top corner to sign a goal painted realistic: Oviedo could not take anything after being so inferior for 70 minutes.
