Eibar fell to a 3-1 defeat against Real Oviedo at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium on Wednesday, a result that ends their seven-match winning streak in the Segunda División. Goals from Mikel Goti and a Carlos Domínguez brace, each assisted by Aritz Aldasoro, decided a match where the visitors' only reply came from Iván Gil.
Gaizka Garitano's side, arriving on the back of seven consecutive victories, conceded an early goal that disrupted their plans. After just three minutes, Enzo Pérez found Mikel Goti, who finished precisely to put Oviedo ahead. Eibar tried to react but found a solid home defence and a dangerous counter-attacking threat. On the stroke of halftime, Domínguez doubled the lead following a pass from Aldasoro, making it 2-0 at the break.
An insufficient reaction
The second half showed a more offensive Eibar, looking to reduce the deficit. The introduction of Javi Martón from the bench added dynamism to the attack and was key for their sole goal. In the 74th minute, Martón delivered a corner that Iván Gil headed home to make it 2-1 and give the travelling fans some hope. However, the hope was short-lived. Eleven minutes later, Carlos Domínguez appeared again to, after another Aldasoro assist, seal the home victory with a left-footed strike from outside the box.
The match was marked by intensity and physical clashes, reflected in the numerous yellow cards. For Eibar, Juan Bernat, Anaitz Arbilla, Dani Calvo and Unai Elgezabal were booked. "Ha visto tarjeta amarilla," Bernat confirmed after a foul in the first half. Oviedo also collected four cautions, with Domínguez among those booked.
The league context
This defeat comes as Eibar sit second in the standings, with 21 points from nine games. Their record is seven wins and two losses, with 19 goals scored and 10 conceded. Striker Jon Guruzeta, with three goals this campaign, is their top scorer, although he had to be substituted in this match after picking up a knock. The team must now focus on their next fixture, a home clash against Mallorca.
Manager Gaizka Garitano made five changes during the match in an attempt to turn the score around, introducing Lucas Núñez, Javi Martón, Iván Gil, Pejiño and Peru Nolaskoain. Despite the loss, Eibar maintain a privileged position in the promotion race and face a week of work to correct errors before facing the fourth-placed side.
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Eibar's manager, Gaizka Garitano, attributed the defeat to a poor start. "We didn't adjust enough to stop their early pushes," said Garitano. The coach confirmed the very hard pitch conditioned the flow of the game. Eibar, second in the standings with 21 points, tried to react after the early goal but could not level the score.
Real Oviedo confirmed that 20,000 spectators witnessed their victory at the Carlos Tartiere. The club published the starting lineup, which included Aarón Narváez and David Jiménez. Goalkeeper Aarón Escandell was key, according to Oviedo, in maintaining the lead. Eibar, second in the standings with 21 points, tried to react but could not level the score.
Eibar manager Gaizka Garitano confirmed on Wednesday that striker Jon Guruzeta suffered a muscular injury. "He will miss the next game," Garitano stated. The player, the team's top scorer with three goals, was substituted at halftime in the match against Oviedo. Eibar, second in the standings with 21 points, faces Mallorca on Saturday.
