C.D. Leganés played their 16th league match of the season against visiting Real Oviedo. The Pepineros dominated the encounter and produced the best chances, but the bar and the keeper conspired to keep the Blanquiazules from victory.
Arnaiz struck the bar in a first half where Leganés dominated
Nafti's lineup included three changes to the side that visited started against Huesca: Bruno and Rubén Pardo, his first game since serving his suspension, both filled in for internationals Omeruo and Shibasaki, while Borja Garcés donned the striking boots in Juan Muñoz's place. The first fifteen was tightly contested, with threatening advances down either ends of the pitch and pressing from both teams. The Pepineros first came close through Arnaiz's long ball to the back post which Fede Vico headed in during the 15', only for the effort to be ruled offside on review.
Arnaiz had a chance to put the Pepineros ahead himself in the 27', cannoning a shot high towards goal with Femenias only tipping the ball onto the woodwork by his fingertips. Recio likewise had a punt at goal off a freekick in the 31' but was unable to keep his attempt on target. Fede Vico's run into the six yard box was also frustrated by a late ball into the middle. Leganés' domination continued as the half wore on, only missing a goal to top off a comprehensive performance. Garcés, Randjelovic and Javi Hernández also probed the Oviedo goal without luck until the whistle blew for the break, with the score still tied at 0-0.
A goalless siege in the second half
The second half commenced without adjustments to the home lineup, with good reason, as the team responded quickly to reassert their first half pressure: Javi Hernández tried his luck in the 50’ to force a corner from Femenias save. The first substitution came in the 60’ with Naim coming onto the right flank for Randjelovic. The subsequent changes followed in the 74’, with Eraso and Juan Muñoz replacing Recio and Borja Garcés.
Leganés kept pushing ever closer to taking the lead, with Arnaiz launching an effort just wide of the target in the 76’. Then, in the 77’, Naim’s left-footed shot driven into the corner was trapped safely by Femenias. Fede Vico, in the 80’, was also inches from converting a Javier Eraso cross into the middle. The final change to the home side came in the 83’ when Nafti brought off an injured Sabin Merino for Arnaiz.
Bruno and Naim had the last opportunities for Leganés in the match, but neither was able to shift the result their way. The Pepineros complete 16 games with 15 points in the bank. Their next clash is against Real Zaragoza at La Romareda Monday 22nd November (21:00).
