Atlético de Madrid had a tense night at Balaídos, where Jan Oblak once again established himself as one of the pillars of the team. Despite having been questioned in recent years and being on the radar of possible departures, the Slovenian goalkeeper showed that he is still indispensable. Oblak was decisive, saving Atlético with several saves that kept the score at zero until the winning goal arrived.
Diego Simeone and the club's board had long since stopped considering Oblak "untouchable" due to a drop in his performance. However, performances like yesterday's reinforce the idea that there is no replacement of his calibre on the market. In a match where the Atlético team was unable to create any danger in attack, Oblak emerged as the most important figure in the match.
A match to forget
During the first half, Celta dominated the game, with Atlético's only response being failed attempts from Sorloth and Griezmann. However, it was Oblak who kept the team alive with decisive interventions, such as a spectacular save from a low shot by Iago Aspas. That particular action showed that Oblak is in top form and capable of reacting at an elite level, saving his team from a possible defeat.
The second half was not much different, with Celta still looking for a goal, while Atlético depended on their defensive solidity. Oblak again made several safe interventions. One of the most notable was when he deflected a shot from outside the area by Alfon, which seemed destined to go in. These interventions allowed Atlético to survive until the final minutes, where Julián Álvarez finally scored the winning goal.
The savior Oblak returned
This performance has once again highlighted Oblak's role in the team. It is not the first time that the goalkeeper has rescued Atlético in critical situations. With such important matches on the horizon, such as the upcoming derby against Real Madrid, his presence is essential.
With his contract still in force, Oblak has made it clear that he still has a lot to offer and that Atlético de Madrid continue to depend on his leadership between the sticks. Simeone and the Atlético fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that, at crucial moments, they can continue to trust their star goalkeeper.