Media365
Barcelona secured a 3-1 comeback victory against Real Oviedo in La Liga on Thursday, with Robert Lewandowski and Ronald Araujo scoring headers after Eric Garcia’s equalizer cancelled out Alberto Reina’s opening goal. The win keeps Barcelona two points behind league leaders Real Madrid.Barcelona fell behind in the 33rd minute when goalkeeper Joan Garcia’s error allowed Reina to score from 40 yards out into an empty net. The Catalans equalized through Eric Garcia early in the second half.Substitute Lewandowski put Barcelona ahead with a header that went in off the crossbar from Frenkie de Jong’s cross. Araujo sealed the victory in the 88th minute by heading in Marcus Rashford’s corner.“In the second half, I said to my team, we have to continue, we have to play with calmness, to be convinced about playing with the ball, and we did it well,” said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick.The victory marked Barcelona’s fourth consecutive win across all competitions, achieved without injured star winger Lamine Yamal.Oviedo, playing in Spain’s top flight for the first time since 2000/01, featured 40-year-old midfielder Santi Cazorla making his first start of the season.Rashford, who started on the left wing after being benched last weekend for tardiness to a team meeting, created several chances. Oviedo goalkeeper Aaron Escandell made multiple saves from his attempts.“I saw the goalkeeper’s mistake and I went first time, and in the moment I kicked it, I saw it was good,” Oviedo midfielder Reina told DAZN. “My first in the top flight, I’ll never forget it.”Flick defended his goalkeeper’s mistake: “It’s the style that we want him to play in, and it can happen. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper… one mistake and they use it, but it’s football.”De Jong’s introduction at halftime helped Barcelona increase their tempo. Escandell continued making saves from Raphinha and Torres before Lewandowski’s breakthrough.“The changes were at the right time, with Frenkie and also with Lewy,” said Flick.Lewandowski, who has mainly been used as a substitute this season following an early injury, showed patience: “I’m patient, I’m not in a hurry, the season is long and we have a lot of games.”Despite the loss, Oviedo’s goalscorer remained positive: “All footballers dream of nights like this, to play against these players and with these fans. It was a nice night, which didn’t end well but we enjoyed it as much as we could.”Barcelona’s next match is against Real Sociedad at the Olympic stadium on Sunday, while Real Madrid faces Atletico Madrid in a derby clash on Saturday.Barcelona trail Real Madrid by two points in the league standings, with the leaders maintaining their perfect start to the season after winning at Levante on Tuesday.Jules Kounde made a crucial defensive intervention to preserve Barcelona’s lead before Araujo’s final goal secured the three points.The match was played in front of an energetic crowd at the Carlos Tartiere stadium, where Oviedo had previously faced Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe in August.
