Atlético pitted against Real Oviedo in Copa del Rey’s round of 32

Atlético Madrid entered the Copa del Rey round of 32 draw on Friday afternoon and emerged with a fresh matchup scheduled against Real Oviedo.

The Rojiblancos will visit the 30,500-seat Estadio Carlos Tartiere — the site of their infamous relegation to Segunda in 2000 — with hopes for a successful 2022/23 campaign hinging completely on a long cup run.

Atlético have handled the threats of Almazán and Arenteiro well enough so far, but the latter gave Diego Simeone’s men a serious scare on Thursday before a second half rally sealed shorthanded Atleti’s progress. El Cholo is expected to have France star Antoine Griezmann back at his disposal for the Asturias visit, while Argentines Ángel Correa, Nahuel Molina, and Rodrigo de Paul should be available as well.

Real Oviedo on Thursday advanced to the Copa del Rey round of 32 for the first time in eight years after a 1-0 win over 10-man Granada. Former Cádiz coach Álvaro Cervera is now in charge of the Segunda side, which has not played in LaLiga since 2001. This is Oviedo’s eighth consecutive season in LaLiga Smartbank, and Los Azules sit 14th having taken 27 points from 21 games.

The previous competitive meeting between Atlético and Oviedo took place in the second tier on May 5, 2002 — a 3-2 away win for the Colchoneros, who were on their way back up to LaLiga. But two years earlier, with the legendary Luis Aragonés in the opposite dugout, Atleti had been relegated for the first time in 70 years after a 2-2 draw at the original Carlos Tartiere (the current structure opened in September 2000).

Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 8:00 p.m. local time.