Atlético de Madrid has been able to make a radical change to its squad compared to last season, achieving a more than notable quality leap. Even so, one of the most important aspects for the "colchonero" team is security in its own area, something that had been lost. Jan Oblak has regained that level that can save matches, something that has also been achieved thanks to the reinforcements that have arrived in defense.
The Slovenian goalkeeper is the least scored against in the five major leagues, considering only domestic championships. For this reason, he has become the top favorite to win the Zamora Trophy, an award he hasn't won since the 2020-21 season, the last time he lifted the title. If he achieves it, he would become a historic goalkeeper in LaLiga after reaching a milestone never before seen in Spain.
Jan Oblak, One Step Away from Making History
Not long ago, Simeone described his goalkeeper as the "Leo Messi" of Atlético de Madrid, referring to his ability to decide matches. However, something key for the "rojiblanco" team to compete for all titles is maintaining strength in the defense, conceding few goals. The season was one of the worst in this aspect with Cholo on the bench, having numbers similar to the season in which they ended up relegated.
Now, Jan Oblak has only conceded 16 goals in LaLiga, having missed only one match, against Athletic Club in Bilbao. With this, the "colchonero" team is the team in the five major leagues that has conceded the fewest goals so far, followed closely by Getafe. In fact, David Soria is the leader of the Zamora Trophy with a ratio of 0.75 goals conceded per match, although there is still a long way to go in the season.
A Unique Goalkeeper in LaLiga
Meanwhile, Jan Oblak has a ratio of 0.70 goals conceded, being the starting goalkeeper with the best ratio in the entire championship. To win the Zamora Trophy you must play at least 60 minutes in 28 matches, needing to play five more matches until May. Unai Simón won the award last season after starting to be substituted in matches after an hour of play, to avoid conceding more goals.
If the goalkeeper of Atlético de Madrid wins this award, he will be the only one in the history of Spanish soccer capable of having won it on six different occasions. So far, he has five in his record, tying with historic names like Víctor Valdés and Antoni Ramallets, being close to breaking the record. He is on the right track, but there are still many months in which anything can happen and the standings can change radically.