La Liga: It’s Courtois vs Oblak as two best goalkeepers clash in Madrid derby

KOLKATA: The Madrid derby is just around the corner, with Real Madrid hosting Atlético Madrid at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Saturday December 13th at 1.30 am IST. As always, the match promises to be a clash of many of the best players in LaLiga Santander, including a duel between two goalkeepers who have a claim to being the best in the world: Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois and Atlético Madrid’s Jan Oblak.
Fans only need to watch Oblak play to understand that the Slovenian shot-stopper is special; he passes the eye test in virtually every match. But the 27-year-old also has the statistics to back up his claim to the goalkeeping throne.
Oblak has statistically been the best goalkeeper in LaLiga Santander season on season in four of the past five years, repeatedly winning the award given to the goalkeeper to concede the fewest average goals per game playing in at least 28 games.
While it’s true that he is helped by Atleti’s renowned defensive solidity, there’s no denying that Oblak has earned these four awards in a row. Looking back at 2018/19, when Diego Simeone’s defenders suffered injury after injury, the team’s defensive numbers remained the best in the league thanks mostly to Oblak who pulled off brilliant save after brilliant save, often reacting to seemingly unstoppable shots quicker than jaws could drop around the Wanda Metropolitano. This season Atleti sit top of the table, having conceded just two goals in their ten games so far.
Oblak now has a fifth top goalkeeper of the season award in his sights. Winning would pull him level with Barcelona legends Antoni Ramallets and Victor Valdés, the only other players to have ever picked up the accolade five times.
Courtois also knows what it’s like to win the top LaLiga keeper award. What’s more, he also did it in Atletico de Madrid colours – twice (2013 & 2014) while on loan in the capital between 2011 and 2014 – in addition to last season with Real Madrid.
How do they compare in Madrid derbies?
They say that form goes out the window when a derby match comes along but both of these goalkeepers have a history of stepping up for the big occasion in the capital.
Over their careers, Oblak has played in 19 Madrid derbies and has conceded 20 goals, while Courtois has played in 14 and has conceded 19. Nine of those Courtois appearances were for Atlético de Madrid and the last five were for Real Madrid, with 18 conceded while wearing Atleti colours and just one while representing his current club.
Both men will be targeting another derby clean sheet this weekend, a clean sheet that could help them win the match and also go a long way towards deciding who picks up the top La Liga goalkeeper award at the end of the season.