Antonio Casas starts as Sporting reshuffle tactics for Tartiere derby

While Sporting de Gijón arrive at the Carlos Tartiere with unbeaten momentum, having secured two wins including a 1‑3 triumph in Andorra, Real Oviedo sit on eight points and have yet to claim a home victory this campaign, Periodista Deportivo highlighted the contrast.

Line‑up overhaul for the Tartiere clash

Nicolás Larcamón, the Argentine head coach, has named Antonio Casas in the attacking line‑up for the upcoming clash. César Gelabert will occupy the right wing, while Andrés Cuenca is slated to start at left back. The trio replaces the previous configuration that saw Cuenca in central defence.

The shift gives Sporting a more advanced shape, with Gelabert receiving the ball on the flank and cutting inside to link with forward Samu. Larcamón believes the new system will provide an extra man in space ahead of the ball, allowing a two‑centre‑back line to dominate.

The most striking move concerns the player the club declared intransferable this summer. Larcamón admitted last week that the best version of the Palentino emerges when he operates behind the nine and inside, yet for the Tartiere encounter he wants him anchored to the ground.

Injuries and squad depth

Injury worries loom: Guillamón and forward Andrés Ferrari are ruled out, while Konrad and Bruno Rubio missed the latest training session at Mareo. On the bright side, Gaspar Campos has returned to the squad, adding depth to the attacking options.

Sporting have not won at the blue fortress since 28 October 2001, when a 0‑2 victory was secured through goals by Lozano and David Villa. Since 2023 the side have avoided defeat in five Asturian derbies, recording two wins and three draws.

Real Oviedo, freshly relegated, sit on eight points and have yet to claim a home win this season, meaning the derby arrives amid a pressing need for points on their own turf.

The contrasting fortunes – Sporting’s unbeaten start versus Oviedo’s home drought – set the stage for a tactical battle that could reshape the early LaLiga Hypermotion table.