Numancia advanced to the next round of the Copa del Rey following a dramatic penalty shootout, prompting manager Lolo Escobar to declare that he felt complete certainty over his chosen takers before the spot-kicks even began.

Copa del Rey Victory Over Real Oviedo

CD Numancia secured their progression in the tournament after an intense cup tie against Real Oviedo. Escobar pointed to the first-half execution as the foundation of their success, noting that his squad accurately interpreted the tactical demands of the opening 45 minutes.

Tactical Frustrations and Second-Half Adjustments

Despite the ultimate victory, the Numancia manager voiced clear frustration regarding how his team handled Real Oviedo’s tactical shift after the interval. Escobar admitted that the visitors’ tactical deployment created significant pressure in the second half, specifically calling out defensive lapses that allowed Oviedo to score their third goal of the match.

“It has been a typical Copa match,” Escobar said. “In the first half, we interpreted what we had to do. In the second half, Oviedo had a lot of team on the field. The third goal angered me because it was poorly defended, but that takes a back seat to the joy of going through.”

Penalty Shootout Certainty

With the contest deadlocked, the tie was decided from the penalty spot. Escobar revealed that the outcome did not come as a surprise to the coaching staff, citing extensive preparation on the training ground.

“The five I chose, I knew they were going to score them, I know it because we had practiced penalties,” Escobar said. “When I saw us stop the first one, I said, ‘We are going to pass,’ because I knew the chosen ones were going to score their shots.”

Squad Progression and Upcoming Fixtures

Looking ahead at the broader campaign, Escobar maintained confidence in the direction of the club, acknowledging that performances will continue to sharpen as the season progresses.

“We know what we play like at this point, but we will find ourselves better as the matchdays pass,” Escobar added. “We are building something very serious and I am the first one who believes in it.”