Real Oviedo manager Guillermo Almada addressed the media following a hard-fought draw, explaining his tactical decisions and acknowledging the unique challenges presented by players observing Ramadan. The Uruguayan coach highlighted a marked improvement in his team’s performance during the second half, despite ultimately failing to secure a victory. The result, while not ideal, leaves Oviedo navigating a challenging period in the league table.
Almada began by assessing the overall match, stating, “I’m more pleased with the second half; we had more possession and recovered the ball closer to their goal, creating clearer chances. Unfortunately, we couldn’t score, but I have mixed feelings. The first half was much worse – we were chasing them a lot.” He emphasized that his team rediscovered the approach they had been striving for throughout the season.
The manager attributed the initial struggles to the strong performance of Espanyol, acknowledging their ability to control possession and force Oviedo into rapid turnovers. “Espanyol played incredibly well, taking the ball away from us and causing us to lose it quickly,” Almada explained. “We tried to correct things at halftime, and the changes we made provided solutions. It was a bit of everything.”
A key talking point from the match was Almada’s decision to develop substitutions, particularly focusing on refreshing the wide areas. He revealed the reasoning behind these changes, stating, “I was looking to refresh the team, especially those players who are observing Ramadan, which is a complex situation. Due to certain circumstances, they were exhausted, and we tried to revitalize the flanks.” He also noted that players Thiago and Ilic needed playing time, whereas he conceded that the wing positions weren’t their natural roles.
The draw, while extending Oviedo’s unbeaten run, felt like a missed opportunity. “We need to keep working. It’s not circumstantial; there must be something – whether it’s mental, errors – to make this point worthwhile. We need to win at home against Valencia,” Almada asserted, looking ahead to their next fixture.
Despite the frustration, Almada expressed optimism about his team’s potential for improvement. “From my point of view, we have room for improvement, but we don’t always have a lot of time to work with. Sometimes you prioritize player recovery. We saw the effort against Rayo and Atlético, even though we couldn’t win, we deserved it. We need to continue on this path and improve our intensity, which is fundamental for progress.”
Almada acknowledged that his team had opportunities to win the match, particularly in the second half, despite Espanyol’s dominance in the first period. “We could have won; we had the clearest chances in the second half, despite Espanyol controlling the first. We’re not satisfied; we wanted to win. We were close to winning, but also close to losing. We closed ranks and are now focused on Valencia.”
Guillermo Almada’s career has seen him manage across multiple countries. According to Wikipedia, he is currently the head coach of Real Oviedo, having previously managed Barcelona SC in Ecuador, Santos Laguna in Mexico, and Pachuca, also in Mexico. His managerial journey began in Uruguay with Tacuarembó and River Plate de Montevideo.
Recent reports have linked Almada with a potential move to Cruz Azul. Google News indicates that Cruz Azul withdrew from their pursuit of Almada, while ESPN Deportes reported that Pachuca announced Almada’s departure, though his contract with the club remains valid until December 2026. The reports suggest a potential buyout clause of over $4 million would be required for another Liga MX team to secure his services.
Almada’s departure from Pachuca, as reported by ESPN, adds another layer of intrigue to his future. The possibility of a move to Cruz Azul remains, contingent on resolving his existing contract with Pachuca and the outcome of their Champions Cup final.
Looking ahead, Real Oviedo will face Valencia in their next match. This fixture represents a crucial opportunity for Almada’s side to secure valuable points and climb the league table. The team will undoubtedly be aiming to build on the positive aspects of their recent performance and address the areas identified for improvement by their manager.
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