Santi Cazorla 's (41) ultimate dream was to leave Real Oviedo in the Primera Division. He has been fulfilling his dream of being able to wear his shirt and enjoy the big stadiums and Spanish rivals with it, although more and more on the bench or playing residual minutes than being an active part of the pitch. But he still had to fulfil the goal of achieving permanence. And that will no longer be possible.
Although it was already considered a virtual relegation, the reality, when it becomes official, is hard. Girona, who could still join them in relegation, are already unreachable after their result against Rayo at the end of the 35th LaLiga matchday.
With three games to go, the Oviedo side will go to the Bernabéu with nothing at stake, just like their opponents. That's what comes with having won just six games out of 35, plus 11 draws. The 18 defeats have been an impossible handicap to overcome.
That and the goal drought, which has made Oviedo a team incapable of averaging a goal per game. They have 26, at 0.74 per game. And they have conceded 54 despite the efforts of Aarón Escandell in goal. Three other teams have conceded more, and direct rivals for relegation such as Alavés and Elche have also conceded the same amount. But without goals in front of goal to compensate, Los Carbayones were cannon fodder.
The dithering on the bench
The season was started by promotion hero Veljko Paunovic, but he only lasted eight games. It seemed that the board had a score to settle with Luis Carrión, who was called in to replace the Serbian while he was appointed coach of his native country. But with Carrión, things not only didn't get better, they got worse. So eight games later, Guillermo Almada was brought in from Valladolid. But in 19 games in charge, he has also failed to pick up the points needed to get out of the doldrums.
Under the Argentine coach, Oviedo have won four, drawn six and lost eight. 18 points out of a possible 54. Coming from Carrión's four out of 24 (four draws, four defeats) and Paunovic's six out of 24 (two wins, six defeats), much more should have been achieved to save the category.
Now it is time again to prepare a team for the second division, closing a stage in which many players from the current squad will not continue. Starting with Santi Cazorla himself, who will hang up his boots at the age of 41.
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