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1-0 deficit in final first leg

Espanyol lose their unbeaten run in the playoff game against Real Oviedo

RCD Espanyol will need to fight back at the Stage Front Stadium in their playoff final second leg game against Real Oviedo, after losing 1-0 to the Asturian side in the first encounter. A goal from Alemao decided the contest, although Los Pericos did have chances to find the net.

As happened a week ago with Sporting Gijón, Oviedo had prepared for the big event with flags, tifos and a performance from celebrity fan Melendi, who sang to warm up the crowd before kickoff.

RCD Espanyol, meanwhile, were determined not to be overawed. Jofre Carreras had the first chance, with a shot that went just across the face of goal, and the intensity continued throughout the first half.

It was a game with little play in the centre of the park. Oviedo always tried to launch their attacks as quickly as possible to overcome the high press, while RCD Espanyol relied on combinations between Puado and Braithwaite and some incursions by Jofre on the right wing.

The mobility of the home side caused certain problems for the defence, which was forced to run more than in previous games. Alemao was on the verge of surprising Espanyol off a counterattack, although it was Seoane, with a tight shot from square on, who came closest to beating Joan García.

The script did not change excessively in the second half, with Los Pericos perhaps rushing their movements upfield. A shot by Aguado, which ended in a corner, and a swerving cross by Óscar Gil, cleared by goalkeeper Leo Román, were the clearest dangerous actions before Manolo González made a triple substitution: He switched to three centre backs, with Óscar and Brian Oliván as wingers.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse with a ball swung in towards Joan Garcia, which he caught but had to push out to avoid carrying it across the line. It fell to Alemao, who finished off from close range.

Oviedo then had another goal disallowed for offside, as Masca headed in from a cross.
A sold out Stage Front Stadium hosts the decisive rematch on Sunday, June 23rd.