Key strength: Cutting inside
Inside forward
Anchored to the bottom of the table in 20th place, Real Oviedo's survival hopes rest on slim margins—and in Josip Brekalo, they possess a €2.5m lifeline that could yet prove priceless. The 27-year-old Croatian winger arrived on a free from Fiorentina and has responded to the relegation pressure with 4 goals and 2 assists across 24 appearances (1,125 minutes), sharing the club's scoring burden with veteran strikers Salomón Rondón and Borja Iglesias. Brekalo thrives as a classic inside forward: drifting from his left flank berth before cutting decisively onto his stronger foot to unleash shots that have troubled keepers all season. It's a directness Oviedo's blunt attack desperately needs. Despite the club's precarious position, recent signs flicker with hope—two wins in their last five suggest the Asturian faithful aren't ready to surrender. Operating alongside the luminous Thiago Almada in Oviedo's attack, Brekalo's intelligent movement and willingness to shoulder responsibility make him a rare beacon in a dark campaign. His goals aren't just statistics—they're potential salvation for a historic club gasping for air.