Throughout his stay in Oviedo, Álvaro Cervera has established himself as something like a spokesman for the club. Not because there are no other speakers, but because his way of expressing himself, sincere, without filters, fits well into the ear of the fan. The Cantabrian is an expert in dissecting reality. Yesterday he showed it again when, in an attack of sincerity, he set the team’s objective between now and the end of the season: “My approach is that the teams at the top are very far away, with 5 clear positions, or so it seems. Now from what it is about saving the team and preparing it so that next year it will be better and it can aspire to something more”.
Words are a bath of reality that are supported by data. It does not seem that Palmas, Levante, Alavés, Granada and Eibar, who sail between 13 and 18 points more than Oviedo, are going to get within range. It would remain, according to the coach’s thesis, a position in contention. Many competitors, too many, and a disadvantage to reduce are the elements that make the company look unattainable.
To put things in context. Last year, Oviedo was eleventh in the League at this point, with 4 points more than the current team. Ziganda’s team managed to add 7 consecutive victories and, although it was close, it did not even manage to get into the top six. Now, in addition, those at the top have a higher rate of points.
It gives the impression that more for sensations than for the study of numbers, Cervera opts for a less ambitious speech, more linked to reality. “Being in no man’s land? It’s more sad than complicated. When I signed here I had a clear mission, that’s what the club told me, but then you see how the team is formed and you get your hopes up. But it’s true that when we’ve had a We missed a key moment that day. At least in the result. And that’s where we went. There is always the goal of improving and finishing as high as possible. The defeat the other day left me touched, but I want to leave the team at the top possible”. And he adds: “Below it seems that there are teams that will cost them, but they will get in, or we will get in, someone who cannot add three. Every year it happens.”
Therefore, it is time to reformulate the objectives and move towards shorter goals. Setting short-range challenges seems like an ideal solution to recover the rhythm in the League. But there is something that does not allow Cervera to look forward. A recent memory that, several days later, continues to haunt him: “The game that hurts me, the one that doesn’t let me sleep, is the one against Burgos. The one against Villarreal B, no; for me it was one of the best we’ve ever played, with occasions and arrivals. The one from Burgos does hurt me because of how it happened. It was a very bad first half, in which you could see that if something happened it was against you. It gave the feeling that we were even losing our way”.
Cartagena is the next stop on the way. A rival that reaches the rise after prevailing by a resounding 0-3 in Ipurúa, where Borja Valle scored again. As has been the case all season, the coach has to deal with casualties. He predictably has seven for the appointment in Cartagonova, although at least he gets Viti back. The sure absences are the injured David Costas, Pomares (suffers a torn fiber), Javi Mier, Hugo Rama and Borja Bastón and the suspended Enrich and Jimmy. Doubt hangs over Dani Calvo, who did not work with the group yesterday due to illness and will wait until the last minute to see if he can travel with his teammates.
For the attack, Manu Vallejo seems the one chosen to act as nine, although the coach assured that he will pull the subsidiary to complete the list. Enol Rodríguez, who this week has worked with the seniors, could be the novelty. “You have to think about whether we go out with two points or we do it with one and with wingers and a midfielder,” explained the Spaniard.
For the medium there are also doubts. Jimmy is indisputable for Cervera, the coach delighted with his contribution to balance the team. To replace him, the most similar candidate is Mángel, another of the coach’s bets. Asked about other alternatives, the coach opened the doors to Montoro while he rejected that Koba or Camarasa could be from the game.