Elche 1-0 Real Oviedo Player Ratings: Aleix Febas rated 8.5/10 as André Silva's Early Strike Secures Narrow Victory for Home Side

A solitary, clinical strike from André Silva in the opening minutes was all it took for Elche to clinch a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a wasteful Real Oviedo. This La Liga encounter at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero was a tense affair, decided by a moment of early brilliance. From our perspective, this was a classic game of two halves in terms of momentum, but only one team had the killer instinct.

Elche burst out of the gates. They looked sharp and purposeful, culminating in André Silva’s goal inside ten minutes. After that, they settled into a pattern of controlling the midfield, with Aleix Febas and Martim Neto putting on a clinic. They dictated the tempo, frustrating Oviedo and forcing them into rash challenges. The match was a gritty spectacle, a real battle for every inch.

Real Oviedo, on the other hand, will be kicking themselves. They created numerous opportunities, especially through the tireless but ultimately profligate Salomón Rondón. They simply couldn't find a way past the inspired Iñaki Peña in the Elche goal. It felt like one of those days for them where nothing would go in, a feeling summed up when Rafa Mir struck the crossbar for the home side. The final whistle of this match confirmed a vital three points for Elche. Here are the Elche vs Real Oviedo player ratings.

Real Oviedo Player Ratings vs Elche

Here are the Real Oviedo player ratings vs Elche.

Goalkeeper

Aarón Escandell - 7.0: He was left completely exposed for the goal, with little he could do. Beyond that, Escandell was solid. He made four saves, including some really sharp stops in the second half to keep his team's hopes alive. Without him, the scoreline could have been more comfortable for Elche. A decent outing in a losing effort.

Defenders

Rahim Alhassane - 6.0: A somewhat quiet and unsteady performance from Alhassane. He made a key block but also looked vulnerable at times, losing possession cheaply. He attempted to get forward with a couple of crosses but lacked genuine quality in the final third. Not his most influential game by any stretch.

Dani Calvo - 6.5: The captain led by example with his commitment. He was in the thick of it, making four clearances and a couple of vital blocks. He won most of his duels and tried to be a commanding presence. However, the defence he marshaled was breached early, which ultimately cost them the game.

David Carmo - 6.5: What stood out to us was his sheer activity. He made an impressive five clearances and three blocked shots, throwing his body on the line. But, he was also a bit reckless, conceding three fouls and looking clumsy in some duels. A very mixed performance, full of heart but lacking composure.

Nacho Vidal - 5.5: A difficult evening for the fullback. He was dribbled past on two occasions and made an error that led to a shot, which is never good. His night was cut short by an unfortunate injury. From our perspective, he struggled to cope with Elche's wide players before his departure.

Midfielders

Kwasi Sibo - 7.0: We were impressed by Sibo's combative spirit in the midfield. He was a machine, winning seven of his ten duels and making four successful tackles. He kept the ball well and provided a solid shield for the defense. It was a surprise to see him substituted, as he was one of Oviedo's better performers.

Haissem Hassan - 6.5: A bundle of energy and a constant threat. He was not afraid to shoot, registering four attempts. However, his end product was lacking, and he lost possession far too often. He had the right ideas but the execution just wasn't there. A frustratingly lively display.

Josip Brekalo - 5.5: Largely anonymous. We barely noticed him for large spells of the match. He created one chance but offered very little else in terms of attacking impetus or defensive cover. It was no surprise when he was the first player to be substituted.

Leander Dendoncker - 6.0: A classic workhorse performance, but one marred by ill-discipline. He was everywhere, making tackles and interceptions, but his yellow card was needless. He worked hard but couldn't grab the game by the scruff of the neck as needed.

Luka Ilic - 5.0: A very poor showing. He gave away a staggering six fouls, constantly breaking up play in the wrong way. He lost the ball frequently and seemed completely off the pace. His early exit due to injury was almost a mercy for a player who was having a nightmare.

Forwards

Salomón Rondón - 6.0: So involved, yet so frustrating. Rondón was a focal point, creating three chances for his teammates. But his own finishing was woeful, missing two big chances and only hitting the target once from four shots. His yellow card for dissent summed up his, and his team's, exasperation.

Substitutes

Santi Cazorla - 6.5: Brought a touch of class and calmness when he came on. Tried to orchestrate things but couldn't find the killer pass. Ilyas Chaira - 6.0: Added some energy but didn't change the game. Lucas Ahijado - 6.0: Did his defensive duties adequately. Álex Forés - 6.5: Looked bright and tested the keeper, showing more threat than some starters. Alberto Reina - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Manager

V. Paunovic - 5.5: His team's lack of a clinical edge was their downfall. They were undone by an early lapse in concentration and despite creating chances, they never looked truly convinced they would score. The changes he made didn't have the required impact to turn the tide. A frustrating day at the office.

Elche Player Ratings vs Real Oviedo

Here are the Elche player ratings vs Real Oviedo.

Goalkeeper

Iñaki Peña - 8.0: A superb performance to earn his clean sheet. Peña was a commanding presence, making four crucial saves, including three from inside the box. His handling was secure, and his two high claims took the pressure off his defense. A match-winning display from the man between the sticks.

Defenders

Pedro Bigas - 7.5: The captain was a rock at the back. He read the game beautifully, making four interceptions and four clearances. His passing was crisp and accurate, helping Elche build from the back. The yellow card was the only small blemish on an otherwise dominant defensive performance.

Álvaro Núñez - 7.5: What a reliable player. An astonishing 99% pass accuracy shows just how composed he was. He was solid in his duels and didn't put a foot wrong all game. A quiet but exceptionally effective performance at the back.

David Affengruber - 7.0: Very busy and mostly very good. He was a tackling machine, winning four of five attempts, and made six clearances. However, he did have a major lapse with an error leading to a shot and picked up a booking. An all-action display that was more positive than negative.

Midfielders

Aleix Febas - 8.5: Our man of the match. He absolutely ran the game from the middle of the park. With 121 touches, he was everywhere, dictating play with his incredible range of passing. He was strong in the tackle, created chances, and was the engine of the team. A complete midfield masterclass.

Martim Neto - 8.5: If Febas was the engine, Neto was the dynamo. His 98% pass accuracy was simply outstanding. He was a threat going forward, forcing a good save with one of his shots. His energy and quality on the ball were top-notch until he was substituted. An incredible performance and the highest-rated player for a reason.

Germán Valera - 6.5: An industrious but slightly untidy performance. He worked hard and got into good positions but his high number of possession losses shows a lack of composure at key moments. Did his job for the team before being taken off.

Josan - 7.0: A very effective shift on the wing. He delivered some dangerous crosses and created two chances for his teammates. He was disciplined in possession and tracked back well. A solid, professional performance.

Rodrigo Mendoza - 7.5: Another key cog in Elche's midfield machine. He kept possession brilliantly, boasting 96% pass accuracy, and created two chances. He was calm under pressure and helped Elche maintain control for long periods. A very intelligent display.

Forwards

André Silva - 8.0: The match-winner. He showed a predator's instinct to be in the right place at the right time for his goal. His job was to score, and he did it decisively. He remained involved throughout, holding the ball up and bringing others into play. A classic and effective number nine performance.

Rafa Mir - 7.0: He will wonder how he didn't score. He was a constant menace, rattling the crossbar and forcing two good saves from the keeper. He was a livewire, but the one negative was an error that led to a chance for the opposition. An exciting, if ultimately fruitless, performance in front of goal.

Substitutes

Grady Diangana - 6.0: Came on and showed a few nice touches. Léo Pétrot - 6.0: Helped shore up the defense. Héctor Fort - 6.0: Provided fresh legs on the flank. Bambo Diaby - N/A: On late to see out the win. Marc Aguado - N/A: Came on to kill time.

Manager

E. Sarabia Armesto - 7.5: His game plan worked to perfection. The fast start secured the all-important goal, and his team's midfield dominance suffocated the opposition. His substitutions were sensible, aimed at managing the game and seeing out the 1-0 lead. A well-earned tactical victory.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Aleix Febas.