If you are too far he will shoot. Oblak won that one but there have too many defeats, too many late Messi goals, for him to be anything other than humble. Then there is Messi. He is always watching you. There are some players who are more difficult to predict. It was an amazing game from Oblak and Llorente revolutionised the team.”, In Pictures | Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid | 11/03/2020, Archbishop of Canterbury denies secret Harry and Meghan wedding, Germany restricts AstraZeneca jab amid new concerns over blood clots, George Floyd death: Teen who recorded video says cop was ‘heartless’, What a scorcher! The goalkeeper. Maybe you are thinking it is not dangerous. You are not even close. There are some players who it is more difficult to predict. He is impossible to predict. Some goals appear as if he has not taken a shot, but rather just passed the ball into the net, insists the Atletico Madrid no. Acceptance that Messi cannot always be controlled might seem like an admission of defeat but it is an important psychological tool for a goalkeeper. Oblak insists Messi is the best player in the world, having scored many goals against him. Oblak made four saves when Atleti edged past Barca 1-0 last month, with Messi unable to find a way through on that occasion. In all competitions, there have been three clean sheets, including a 2-0 win in a Champions League quarter-final. He is great at everything. When it comes to Messi, you can never predict anything. The stats suggest Messi puts the ball either side of the goalkeeper with almost equal regularity. "It is a really special achievement. Oblak, perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world, is in the comfort of his Madrid apartment describing in detail the challenge of facing Lionel Messi, perhaps the best footballer there has ever been. Wait, and hope that Messi makes a mistake? Many times, a player fails to understand the ease with which the 32-year-old goes on to score a goal. I repeat, it is impossible.". Barcelona without Messi are totally different.". Will he pass? "Many times, this is a problem against him. "When you play against the best, you know you are going to have to be at your best to stop them," adds Oblak. By . Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, Jan Oblak has showered praises on “amazing” Lionel Messi after his surpassing of Pele, claiming the Barcelona superstar is “the best” because he “sees everything” on the pitch. "If you stand up, he will go through your legs. "If you go down, he will chip you," he explains. “Anticipation depends on the player because there are some players who you can easily predict. You need to watch the ball and to wait.". Oblak became the most expensive goalkeeper to join a Spanish top-flight side when he moved to Atleti from Benfica for €16million in 2014. On the performance as a whole, the Argentine said: “I’m very happy for the team and for the club. But that was one game among 17. He has shown this with the titles that he has won and how many goals he has scored. Too many! He has shown it for so many years and I can only congratulate him, wish him all the best, and hope that he scores many more goals. Budweiser are marking the historic moment with 644 specially created bottles, individually numbered to represent each goal, and recognising the role that every single one of them has played in pushing Messi towards greatness. "But you also know that when such a good player is playing against you there is always the possibility that he will score. And we came through it like that. There are times when it is as if he is describing the bogeyman himself. “A really important rival with the fans pushing them on. 1. Lionel Messi scored twice on Sunday as Barcelona trounced Real Sociedad 6-1 to keep the pressure on Atletico Madrid, who squeezed past Alaves thanks to a late penalty save from Jan Oblak. The last line of defence. Jan Oblak spoke as a LaLiga ambassador, as part of Budweiser's celebration of Lionel Messi's record breaking 644th goal. MADRID - After Jan Oblak swatted the ball away with a superb penalty save in the 86th minute, Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone celebrated on the sideline as if … Try to steal the ball but don't give a foul close to the goal because he is great at free-kicks. "Sometimes you do not see him. Football without Messi would be totally different too. Will he shoot? If you go right, he will shoot left. Lionel Messi scores after 85 minutes to break Atletico Madrid's resistance on Wednesday night Argentine saw his penalty saved by Jan Oblak but he followed up to … The ball is in the net and there was nothing that could be done. "I am sure that he is going to score many more than just 644, even though it is already a lot," he adds. Just when the job is almost done, it isn't. https://www.skysports.com/.../what-makes-messi-so-good-oblak-explains “That is the problem of Messi for goalkeepers,” says Oblak. Not many players have the possibilities that he has on the ball. I can only say the best words about him because he is the best. Oblak is honouring Messi's achievement, completed against Valladolid on Tuesday, of scoring 644 goals for one club, breaking the record set by Pele with Santos. Budweiser are marking the historic moment with 644 specially created bottles, individually numbered to represent each goal, and recognising the role that every single one of them has played in pushing Messi towards greatness. Then there is Messi. Lionel Messi has hailed Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak as "one of the best goalkeepers in the world" and admits he loves the challenge of trying to beat him. And Oblak, widely viewed as one of the best shot-stoppers in world football, is not afraid to admit that stopping Messi from scoring is an almighty task. 10 of them have seen a Messi shot find its way beyond Oblak. LaLiga.A wall against a tsunami: from Oblak's hand to Messi's monumental Barcelona exhibition. Ben Hayward. We are back among the best eight teams in Europe and against an extraordinary rival. The Slovenian earned high praise from his manager after helping Atleti reach the quarter-finals He and Messi are the two best I have ever encountered.” Oblak was also asked about Luis Suarez, who is in red-hot form, and leading the La Liga scoring charts alongside Youssef En-Nesyri. It is impossible.". Deal with it and move on. tletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has compared Jan Oblak to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi after the goalkeeper’s heroic display in their 3-2 win over Liverpool on Wednesday night. Oblak returns time and again to this issue of unpredictability and with good reason. "He watches my legs," Jan Oblak tells Sky Sports. But he will show that he is still the best, I am sure. His talent is too much. "If your coach says that it can only means good things," says Oblak. If you go left, he will shoot right. "Most of the time, you must accept it is going to depend on him.". “Messi scored a lot of goals against me. Advert. His eyes are on the ball but he sees you. "If I make one step, he will see it and shoot to the other side. Meanwhile, Oblak got the better of Messi when they faced each other last time in La Liga this season as the Argentine failed to score a goal and Atletico Madrid won the match by 1-0 against Barcelona. Lionel Messi and Jan Oblak did not hide their admiration for each other when they had the chance to tell the world how great it has been to face each other in football games.. Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak was the first to describe Lionel Messi as the best player in the world in a recent interview. You are waiting for all kinds of things. "It is not easy for them, it is not easy for him. "It is strange," says Oblak. This issue of when Messi will shoot is an added complication. The Slovenian goalkeeper has heaped on the Argentine after breaking Pele’s record for the most goals scored for a single club. The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper is speaking not long after his team's 1-0 win over Barcelona, their first against Messi and the rest in La Liga for over a decade. Diego Simeone has compared Jan Oblak's impact to that of Barcelona's Lionel Messi after the goalkeeper played a key role in Atletico Madrid's "historic" 3-2 extra-time win over Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday.. But in a second, he changes the game, he scores a goal, and Barcelona win. "He has scored many goals against me. But he is a great player, an amazing player, the best player. Lionel Messi scored twice on Sunday as Barcelona trounced Real Sociedad 6-1 to keep the pressure on Atletico Madrid, who squeezed past Alaves thanks to a late penalty save from Jan Oblak. Lionel Messi scored twice on Sunday as Barcelona trounced Real Sociedad 6-1 to keep the pressure on Atletico Madrid, who squeezed past Alaves thanks to a late penalty save from Jan Oblak. “That is the problem of Messi for goalkeepers,” Oblak continued, on the topic of anticipation. The Slovenian goalkeeper has heaped pra So much has been written about Messi over the years but little of it from the perspective of the victim. One-on-one against Messi is the worst case scenario for the goalkeeper. "All you can do is play hard and when you see him don't leave him. An examination of mind and body that requires concentration at all times. It is not easy to decide how you will defend against him because of his unpredictability. “We have a goalkeeper who is the best in the world, no doubt” Simeone said after the game. Lionel Messi has hailed Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak as "one of the best goalkeepers in the world" and admits he loves the challenge of trying to beat him. "He decides games with his attacking play; Oblak resolves them with his saves.”. Even if he does not play so good in one or two games, at any moment he could show again that he is the best. It is the latest in a long of records smashed by the Argentine, who has now won six Ballon d'Or trophies. For more info visit youtube.com/Budweiser, Jan Oblak explains Lionel Messi's unique genius in scoring 644 goals, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak explains what it is like to face Lionel Messi, Boothroyd: England U21 job 'utterly impossible', Merson Says: Man City must have Aguero replacement lined up, Brundle: Hamilton vs Max delivers F1 classic & controversy. The defenders do their best but it is difficult to do anything tactically to stop Messi because you never know what he is going to do. This is why he is the best. You need to be 100 per cent concentrated.". Control the controllables. The UEFA Champions League titleholders won 1-0 in 90 minutes to draw 1-1 on aggregate and force extra time in the last 16, but goals from Marcos Llorente helped seal Liverpool's exit. Naturally, the topic of Lionel Messi’s eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo came up, to which Oblak replied: “Cristiano is also gorgeous. "If he has his day, if he is in great shape, it really does not matter if you are at 100 per cent. Lionel Messi has broken Pele's record for the most goals scored for a single club but what makes him so good? “I have been saying that for some time. Comment and Analysis But does the Atletico boss have specific plans for Messi? “Anticipation depends on the player because there are … The man out to stop him. "Anticipation depends on the player because there are some players who you can easily predict. "If you are too close he will go past you. Too many!” Oblak told reporters. If he does what he can do, it is impossible. Oblak… "He is still the best player in the world," he insists. Nothing illustrates this as clearly as Messi's record of having scored an 86th-minute goal against Atletico on three different occasions. Jan Oblak has identified one of the major reasons why Lionel Messi has to be considered the best player in the world.. On Tuesday evening, Messi scored his 644th Barcelona goal, breaking Pele's record with Santos for the most goals scored with a single club.. He does not show it but he is always looking. Additionally, Oblak is asked if Messi’s shots can be read, and how where he shoots often. Will he dribble? Jan Oblak has praised Lionel Messi. This is why he is so difficult. But, in one-on-one situations, the most important thing is to wait until the last second. Maybe two or three defenders will go towards him to steal the ball from him but then he will pass to another player and they score. Oblak produced a series of spectacular saves to deny the Reds in normal time at Anfield and kept Atleti in it until late in the night, when substitute Marcos Llorente struck twice and Alvaro Morata scored another to fire the Rojiblancos into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Oblak argues that there is only so much that can be done. "It is always difficult to talk about because goalkeepers do not like conceding goals." A little reluctantly, Oblak has had to claim responsibility for 10 of them. Oblak's insight suggests that the contest between the two is tactical and technical, physical and mental. "Normally, goalkeepers, we are shouting all the time to help the defenders but I know it is difficult when Messi is on the other side. Ever.". Oblak praises Messi goals record, lauds him as the best . "That is the problem of Messi for goalkeepers," says Oblak. Ten of Messi's 644 strikes for Barcelona have come against Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak, a man viewed by many football fans as the best goalkeeper in the world. Oblak secures Atlético win; Dest, Messi get 2 each for Barça. Sometimes it feels like he has just passed the ball into the goal, it is not even a shot.". LIONEL MESSI SCORED twice on Sunday as Barcelona trounced Real Sociedad 6-1 to keep the pressure on Atletico Madrid, who squeezed past Alaves thanks to a late penalty save from Jan Oblak. 24.5C in Kew as UK sees hottest March day in 53 years, UK records 56 more Covid-19 deaths, half of last Tuesday’s figure, Exclusive: UK’s fourth Covid vaccine could be ready in 4 weeks, Laurence Fox launches mayoral bid with ‘Free London’ battle bus, Lammy praised for handling of caller who told him he is not English, World leaders call for pandemic treaty as UK deaths fall. MADRID (AP) After Jan Oblak swatted the ball away with a superb penalty save in the 86th minute, Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone celebrated on the sideline as if … There are many times that he scores a goal and you have this feeling that you cannot understand how he has scored so easily. But it is revealing. Goalkeepers must be prepared for the early shot that might catch them unawares but they must also appreciate that he is capable of delaying the shot or even threading a pass through for someone else. Jan Oblak carries an old stigma that has accompanied him since the 2016 Champions final. His trademark finish is to the goalkeeper's right - the one that Oblak refers to as a pass - but any attempt to anticipate such a strike will be punished with a whipped finish into the opposite corner, as he famously did in the final of the 2015 Copa del Rey against Athletic. This latest record-breaking feat comes at a time when Messi's form has been under greater scrutiny than ever before. "For sure, that was my best memory against him." Jan Oblak is the Messi of goalkeepers, says Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone . Driver Ratings: Hamilton vs Max ignites, Vettel struggles, Trailblazer Massey-Ellis: VAR, mistakes, Aguero & social media, Phoenix 2021 Limited completes Wigan takeover. "Some good players from Barcelona went out, some new players came in," says Oblak. 10. This happened to us last season. @ghostgoal. "Barcelona should be very pleased he is there. But Messi has the backing of a certain Slovenian, his long-time opponent. Diego Simeone demands that concentration from his players and certainly from the man who he has described as the Messi of goalkeeping. "Sometimes you think you are controlling them, you are controlling him. He is impossible to predict. The pair has experienced several heated, controversial battles over the years, but there is high respect between Jan Oblak and Leo Messi. Messi curled sweetly into the corner of Jan Oblak's goal from the edge of the penalty box with four minutes remaining for his 11th goal in 10 games. "You are not just waiting for the shot, you are waiting for the pass. AP. Oblak is honouring Messi's achievement, completed against Valladolid on Tuesday, of scoring 644 goals for one club, breaking the record set by Pele with Santos. Sometimes, when the defence has been breached and all else has failed, the shot is inevitable.