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Barcelona mounted a stunning second-half comeback, scoring three goals to
secure a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Real Oviedo on Thursday night. The
win, sealed by impactful substitutions and a late insurance goal, ensures
Hansi Flick’s side remains undefeated in the 2024-25 La Liga season and
keeps pace with league leaders Real Madrid.
Early Struggles and Oviedo’s Shock Lead
Playing away from home in La Liga for the first time since August,
Barcelona faced a tougher challenge than many anticipated. Despite
significant injuries to key players like Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, and
Alejandro Balde, coach Hansi Flick opted for further rotation, initially
resting Jules Koundé, Frenkie de Jong, and Robert Lewandowski.
The opening half-hour was an entertaining affair, with both teams trading
blows. Marcus Rashford was twice denied by strong saves from Aarón
Escandell, and Raphinha rattled the post with a powerful long-range
strike.
However, against the run of play, Real Oviedo found the breakthrough
through a calamitous Barcelona error. Goalkeeper Joan García ventured far
from his goal to clear the ball but misplaced a pass to Marc Casadó. The
ball fell perfectly to Alberto Reina, who, without hesitation, fired a
first-time shot from near the halfway line into the unguarded net, sending
the Estadio Carlos Tartiere into raptures.
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Flick’s Masterclass: Substitutions Turn the Tide
Barcelona emerged from halftime needing a response, but initially lacked
clarity, with Oviedo still looking dangerous on the counter. The turning
point arrived in the 56th minute when Ferran Torres, connecting with a
cross from Ronald Araújo, fired an awkward volley that was deflected onto
the post. Eric García was quickest to react, tucking in the equalizer
before Escandell could intervene.
MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images
Flick then introduced his game-changers: Frenkie de Jong and Robert
Lewandowski. The impact was immediate. De Jong, given the freedom to
dictate play, delivered a perfect cross for Lewandowski, who ruthlessly
headed the ball off the crossbar and into the net, giving Barcelona the
lead with just 20 minutes remaining. This was Lewandowski’s third goal of
the season, highlighting his crucial role even from the bench.
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Sealing the Victory and Player Performances
Despite Oviedo’s attempts to find an equalizer, Barcelona maintained their
composure. The plucky hosts had their opportunities but lacked the final
sharpness. In the 88th minute, Ronald Araújo added a third goal,
completely putting the game out of reach and sealing all three points for
the Catalan giants.
This comeback victory showcased the character and resilience of Flick’s
squad, preventing a potential upset and demonstrating their depth even
with key players sidelined. For an in-depth analysis of Barcelona’s league
standing and future fixtures, you can visit the official
La Liga website.
Barcelona Player Ratings vs. Real Oviedo (4-2-3-1)
Ratings provided by FotMob
- GK: Joan García – 6.4
- RB: Eric García – 8.4 (Player of the Match)
- CB: Ronald Araújo – 8.1
- CB: Pau Cubarsí – 7.5
- LB: Gerard Martín – 7.4
- CM: Marc Casadó – 7
- CM: Pedri – 7.9
- RW: Raphinha – 7.3
- AM: Dani Olmo – 7.4
- LW: Marcus Rashford – 8
- ST: Ferran Torres – 6.9
Substitutes:
- Frenkie de Jong (46’ for Casadó) – 8.1
- Robert Lewandowski (66’ for Raphinha) – 7.5
- Jules Koundé (73’ for Martín) – 6.4
- Marc Bernal (90’ for Pedri) – N/A
- Andreas Christensen (90’ for Rashford) – N/A
Real Oviedo (4-4-2):
Aarón Escandell; Lucas Ahijado, Eric Bailly, David Carmo, Rahim Alhassane;
Haissem Hassan, Leander Dendoncker, Alberto Reina, Ilyas Chaira; Santi
Cazorla, Salomón Rondón.
Subs: Luka Ilić, Kwasi Sibo, Josip Brekalo, Álex Forés, Santiago Colombatto.
