A, the latest on Real Oviedo:
Historic Promotion to La Liga
Real Oviedo secured promotion to Spain’s top flight for the first time in 24 years, thanks to a thrilling 3–1 win (3–2 on aggregate) over Mirandés in the playoff finals on June 21, 2025. Veteran midfielder Santi Cazorla (40) scored the opening penalty, with Ilyas Chaira equalizing and Francisco Portillo netting the extra-time winner—sparking jubilant celebrations at Estadio Carlos Tartiere
- The pitch was flooded with fans celebrating, marking a dramatic rebound from the club’s financial struggles earlier this century
- Coach Veljko Paunović, who took over in late March, praised the team’s resilience and labeled the achievement “indescribable”
- Cazorla described the promotion as “the most important match of my life,” and hinted he might retire or shift toward coaching depending on his physical condition
2024–25 Season Recap
- League finish: 3rd in Segunda División, clinching a playoff spot with consistent form—4W–1D in the last 5 regular-season games
- Statistics:
- 41 league matches: 20W–12D–9L
- 54 goals scored, 41 conceded (+13 GD)
- Top scorer: Alexandre Alemão led with 13 league goals
- Management: Javier Calleja was replaced by Paunović late in the season, triggering the successful playoff push
Key Figures & Squad
- Santi Cazorla: Beyond scoring, Cazorla earned praise for his leadership, professionalism, and community-minded gesture of donating image rights to youth development
- Tactical Setup: Under Paunović, the team successfully navigated pressure games and utilized strong home records—unbeaten in 20 of their last 24 matches
Looking Ahead to La Liga 2025–26
- Upcoming season: Rennes will join Levante and Elche in La Liga, replacing Leganés, Las Palmas, and Valladolid
- Stadium & fanbase: The Estadio Carlos Tartiere (~30,500 capacity) will again host top-flight matches, with expectations high after years in the second tier
- Transfer & retention targets: Key players like Cazorla will be central—keep an eye on the club’s summer recruitment to strengthen the squad for La Liga survival.