Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says he hopes that “one of the world’s best goalkeepers” Jan Oblak stays with the club for next season — after Oblak’s latest penalty save helped his team warm up for Wednesday’s Europa League final by beating local rivals Getafe 1-0 on Saturday.
Koke shot Atletico ahead after just eight minutes, from an excellent Antoine Griezmann assist, a moment of skill out of keeping with an otherwise very scrappy and physical La Liga game at Getafe’s Coliseum Alfonso Perez
After Diego Costa and Griezmann had been withdrawn — thinking of Wednesday in Lyon — Getafe were awarded a penalty, but Oblak saved spectacularly from Faycal Fajr’s spot-kick, his third save from four faced this season, and seventh of 12 (not including shootouts) during his four seasons at the club.
The Slovenia international may be on the move this summer with no progress in new contract talks and richer clubs elsewhere attracted by a €100 million release clause, but Simeone suggested at the post-match news conference that Oblak should appreciate the progress made since his 2014 move from Benfica.
“You could see [Oblak] saved the penalty with his fingers, and arm fully outstretched,” Simeone said. “Happy to have him with us. He found it hard to get into the team at the start but was patient and is now among the best goalkeepers in the world. I hope we have him with us [next season] and he is happy to be here.”
Atletico picked up no new fitness issues ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League decider against Marseille in Lyon, with full-backs Juanfran Torres and Filipe Luis both coming through the 90 minutes following recent injuries.
“Juan and Filipe’s fitness is improving,” Simeone said. “I am leaving with a positive feeling. The team put aside what was coming in the future and respected who we are.
“Our ‘game by game’ [motto] will always be there. We do not know any other way to compete, and we stay on our path as always. We resolved a tough game, with a lot of friction.
“At the start we could surprise with Koke as an enganche [No. 10], and we disorganised their defence. We played a great first half.”
Asked about Wednesday’s opponents, Simeone praised Marseille’s quality in midfield and attack, which might affect the XI he himself chooses for the game.
“We are meeting a team with very important players in midfield and up front,” he said. “They will be very motivated and based on that I will choose the team.”
Dermot Corrigan is a Madrid-based football writer who covers La Liga and the Spain national team for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @dermotmcorrigan
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