Real Oviedo keeper names the Barcelona player who worries him most | OneFootball

Ahead of Sunday’s trip to the Spotify Camp Nou, Real Oviedo goalkeeper Aaron Escandell has spoken openly about the challenge that awaits his side against Barcelona. 

The Oviedo stopper has made it clear that while the task is enormous, his team is travelling with belief and pride.

Speaking from the press room, the 30-year-old was asked to single out a Barcelona player who could make the difference, and Escandell promptly said, “It would be Raphinha.” 

Capable of beating Barcelona

The goalkeeper highlighted Raphinha as the standout threat in the Blaugrana squad, showing the respect Oviedo have for the Brazilian’s quality and influence.

Escandell then addressed the question of how Oviedo can hope to compete with Barcelona at home., he insisted that effort, unity, and belief are non-negotiable if they are to give themselves a chance.

“It’s very difficult, but not impossible. By working hard, giving 100% until we have nothing left and believing in what the manager asks of us, we can stand up to them. 

Escandell says Raphinha would be the biggest threat to Oviedo. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

“We have to give it our all on the pitch, and if we lose, we’ll shake hands and leave with honour,” he said as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

The match comes at a complicated moment for Real Oviedo, who are enduring a long run without a win.

He acknowledged that going 13 consecutive games without a victory is “difficult to manage” and explained that, despite visible progress, the lack of wins is taking a toll. 

According to the goalkeeper, “the reward of victory is not coming, and that makes the players worry a lot.”

As such, Raphinha has only played one game against Real Oviedo in his career, a meeting that came earlier in the season, where Barcelona won 3-1.

As such, the Brazilian, despite all his efforts, could not get his name on the scoresheet, nor did he register any assists in his 65 minutes on the field.