Football Season Guide

After a 24-year hiatus, Real Oviedo secured a return to the top flight of Spanish football with a dramatic play-off final win in extra-time of the second leg against Mirandes. After finishing third in the table, they secured promotion through the play-offs which didn’t end until 21st June. Real Oviedo’s star man remains Santi Cazorla. The former Arsenal man has signed on for what is likely to be his final year and a farewell tour around the grounds of Spain. Now aged 40, his minutes are carefully managed but his quality still stood out in the second tier. Despite that, Oviedo’s 1.33 goals per game was low for a promotion-winning side last season and they have failed in talks to bring in a new number nine so far, with a move for Luka Jovic collapsing. Where Oviedo have stood out is at set pieces, which accounted for one in every three of their goals last season, aided by Cazorla’s fine deliveries. That could prove a crucial weapon in the top flight. Oviedo have acquired players across the squad to add depth and quality to key positions, but Salomon Rondon is the only one with substantial top flight experience in Spain. Whether or not those gambles pay off could prove decisive.