It’s a night that Real Oviedo fans have been dreaming about for a quarter of a century. On Sunday, August 24, 2025, the Estadio Carlos Tartiere will finally roar again with top-flight football as Real Oviedo hosts the mighty Real Madrid for their long-awaited return home in LaLiga EA Sports. The anticipation is electric in Asturias, and for good reason: this marks Oviedo’s first home match in Primera División since June 10, 2001—a date etched in club folklore, when they last faced Real Madrid in a 1-1 draw thanks to goals from Jaime and Santiago Solari.
But nostalgia can only carry a team so far. The reality for Oviedo is a tough one, as their return to the top tier began with a bruising 2-0 defeat away to Villarreal at La Cerámica. That result leaves them second to last in the league table, with zero points after the opening weekend. Their task doesn’t get any easier: Real Madrid, fresh off a 1-0 win over Osasuna at the Bernabéu—secured by a penalty from new superstar Kylian Mbappé—arrives in town with all the momentum and the weight of history on their side.
Kickoff is set for 21:30 local time at Carlos Tartiere, with fans across the globe tuning in. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN LaLiga in Spain (channels M55, O113), as well as on ESPN and Disney+ in South America, Sky Sports in Mexico, Movistar+ (Movistar LaLiga), Amazon Prime Video in Spain, and ESPN+ and fuboTV in the United States. Referee Ricardo de Burgos will officiate, with Javier Iglesias in charge of VAR—ensuring the spotlight will be as much on the officials as on the players in what promises to be a high-tension affair.
The stage is set for drama, but the odds are stacked against the home side. Real Madrid, now under the direction of Xabi Alonso, are eager to cement their place at the league’s summit and add another title to their storied collection. They may have started the season with what some pundits called a "sluggish" performance against Osasuna, but a win is a win—especially when it comes courtesy of Mbappé, whose arrival has electrified the Spanish capital. According to Marca, "Mbappé comanda el inicio de la era Xabi Alonso"—Mbappé leads the start of the Xabi Alonso era. That’s a warning shot for the rest of LaLiga, and Oviedo will need to be at their absolute best to contain the French superstar.
Real Madrid’s lineup is brimming with talent and depth. The expected starting eleven includes Courtois in goal, a back line featuring Alexander Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras, and a midfield anchored by Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde. The attacking trio is mouthwatering: Arda Güler, Brahím Díaz, Vinicius Júnior, and of course, Kylian Mbappé. Valverde, the Uruguayan engine, is set for another big game, with coverage across Latin America highlighting his every move. As reported, "Federico Valverde jugará un nuevo encuentro con Real Madrid, en esta ocasión, contra Real Oviedo por la segunda fecha de LaLiga de España."
For Real Oviedo, the challenge is monumental, but there’s no shortage of heart or hope. Their likely lineup features Escadell in goal, with Nacho Vidal, Oier Luengo, Dani Calvo, and Alhassane forming the defense. The midfield will be marshaled by Kwasi Sibo and Reina, with Luka Ilic and Hassan providing creativity and drive. Up front, Ylyas Chaira and Salomón Rondón—whose experience and physicality could cause problems for Madrid’s defense—will carry the scoring burden.
History, however, is not on Oviedo’s side. These two clubs have met 76 times in Spain’s top flight, with Real Madrid claiming 46 victories, Oviedo 14, and 16 matches ending in draws. The gulf in resources and recent experience is vast. As Marca’s preview bluntly puts it, "nuestro pronóstico es una victoria contundente del Real Madrid sobre Real Oviedo debido al poderío de los merengues y el dominio histórico que han ejercido sobre su rival"—their prediction is a resounding Real Madrid win, given the visitors’ power and historical dominance.
Still, football is a game of surprises, and the atmosphere in Oviedo is nothing short of feverish. The city has been counting down to this day, with tickets snapped up and local bars buzzing with talk of possible upsets and famous nights. The last time Oviedo played a Primera División match at home, many of today’s players were still in primary school—the sense of occasion is impossible to overstate.
Beyond the ninety minutes, this clash is also a showcase of LaLiga’s global reach. Fans from Peru to Mexico, Argentina to the United States, will be glued to their screens, with broadcasters from ESPN to Sky Sports carrying the action live. The league itself is eager to spotlight the return of a historic club like Oviedo, whose passionate fan base and storied past add depth and color to a competition long dominated by the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The stakes are high for both teams. For Real Madrid, every point is precious in the chase for another league crown. For Oviedo, survival is the goal, but a strong showing against the giants of Madrid could set the tone for the campaign and galvanize their supporters. The fixture list doesn’t get any kinder: upcoming matches for Oviedo include tough tests against Real Sociedad, Getafe, Elche, and Barcelona. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will face Mallorca, Real Sociedad, Espanyol, and Levante in the coming weeks as they juggle domestic and European ambitions.
As the teams prepare to take the field, all eyes will be on the new faces and returning heroes. Can Oviedo’s defense hold firm against the relentless pace and skill of Madrid’s attack? Will Mbappé continue his scoring run and justify the hype surrounding his transfer? And might we see a new hero emerge for the home side, one who could etch their name alongside Jaime’s in club history?
With kickoff fast approaching, the excitement is palpable. There’s no telling how this one will end, but one thing’s for sure: the Carlos Tartiere will be rocking, and football fans everywhere will be watching as Real Oviedo’s dream return to Primera División meets the relentless ambition of Real Madrid. Let the drama unfold.
