Simeone hails Jan Oblak as "The Messi of goalkeepers" after match-winning performance.

Jan Oblak earned high praise from Diego Simeone after helping Atletico Madrid reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Diego Simeone compared the goalkeeper to Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi after the goalkeeper’s exploits as Atletico Madrid eliminated defending champions Liverpool from the UCL. 

Oblak produced a man-of-the-match display with a number of important saves in Atletico’s stunning 3-2 extra-time victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday. Liverpool were on top for the major part of the second leg but they could not move clear of Atletico or get the better of Oblak as the visitors secured a 4-2 aggregate triumph thanks to Marcos Llorente’s brace and Alvaro Morata’s late goal.

Oblak is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and his performance clearly proved so. In the post-match interview Simeone said, “We have a goalkeeper who is the best in the world, no doubt. I have been saying that for some time. 

It’s like Barcelona who have Messi. He decides the game with his attacking play, Oblak resolves them with his saves.”

Llorente, who came off the bench to replace the frustrated Diego Costa, revolutionized the team, as per Simeone. Simeone was very delighted with the way his team played and this match already became an extraordinary one for the manager because of its intensity and the beauty of the stadium.

Diego Simeone felt that his team executed the plan perfectly and in the end with everyone’s effort, his team succeeded. Simeone and team were not the favorites but they had the faith to turn things around and they did. 

Atletico have not been having the best of the seasons with numerous inconsistent performances that have caused a lot of problems and criticism for the Argentine manager. 

Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, all the remaining UCL games have been postponed and that means Atletico will have to wait for a while to get any hint of their quarter-final opponents.

featured image credits- goal.com