Atletico Madrid’s Koke supports Jan Oblak to rediscover a world-class form

Captain of Atletico Madrid Boil has supported Jan Oblak to regain the form that made him one of the most respected goalkeepers in the world to date after the challenging season of 2021-22.

Oblak – who was voted the men’s best goalkeeper in the FC 100 last November – was a key part of the Atleticon LaLiga championship last season, but has since suffered a dramatic decline in his performance.

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Atletico will face Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Supercopa semi-finals in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, and the winner will face Barcelona or Real Madrid in the final three days later.

“We know his player level. For me, he’s the best goalkeeper in the world,” Koke said at a pre-match news conference Wednesday. “Maybe we haven’t had the luck we’ve had in previous years. When our opponents shoot, they score a goal.

“But Jan is our vice captain, he’s important. He looks strong. He’s focused on doing the same work he’s done all these years to improve and help the team.”

Oblak have conceded 24 goals in just 20 league matches this season – nine teams have conceded less – which has contributed to the team’s struggle in their efforts to maintain the LaLiga championship.

Atletico is fourth on the table, 16 points behind leading Madrid, but has a chance to win the first silver of the season in Riyadh.

“It’s going to be an intense, good game,” Koke said when asked about facing Bilbao, who won last year’s tournament. – We know each other well and we know their manager [Marcelino]”

Midfielder refuses to criticize competition hosting in Saudi Arabia after Bilbao Raul Garcia had said there was no point in playing there.

“I’m a player at Atletico Madrid, and what grows the club’s image is very important,” Koke said.

“Such a tournament is, we compete and play where we have to. Fans support us wherever we are. Anything that helps the club grow is good for us.”

Defender of Bilbao Inigo Martinez echoed Kok’s comments, although he stressed the impact of the venue on the club’s fans.

“It’s not in our hands,” Martinez said. “The [Spanish Football] it is the union that makes the decision and we play.

“It would have been nice to play in Spain especially for the fans because they could have seen their team in action. I would go anywhere to win the championship.”