Jan Oblak: All you need to know about Atletico Madrid’s goalkeeper

Real Madrid took the game to Atletico Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final first leg but could find no way past young goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Here we give you the lowdown on Atletico’s summer signing.

Replacing Thibaut Courtois was never going to be easy but judging by the recent performances of Jan Oblak it seems Atletico Madrid have managed it.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper produced a series of saves to deny Real Madrid on Tuesday night in the Vicente Calderon, including a strong arm to stop Gareth Bale stroking the ball home from a one-on-one opportunity.

The Slovenia international also made a wonderful save away to his left to prevent James Rodriguez making the breakthrough with an improvised effort before showing expert handling to save from Toni Kroos.

So where did Atletico get him?

Oblak was anything but cheap. In fact, the €16million (£12.8m) arrival from Benfica became the most expensive goalkeeper in La Liga history in the summer.

He had impressed in Portugal, establishing himself at the Estadio da Luz in the second half of last season, but was determined to move on to the next challenge. “Benfica wanted me to stay and the president has done everything to stop me from leaving, but my wish was to sign for Atletico,” Oblak told A Bola in June.

“The financial factor was not the main reason, but the conditions are much better. Ever since I was a child I have dreamed about playing in the Spanish league. This was always a big challenge that I wanted to take on.”

How has he done at Atletico?

It took time for Oblak to make an impression due to the fine form of Miguel Moya, a more experienced summer addition from Getafe.

Indeed, prior to the winter break, he was restricted to a Champions League outing in a 3-2 defeat away to Olympiakos and a couple of appearances in the Copa del Rey against L’Hospitalet.

Oblak was patient. “I train every day and wait for my chance,” he told Marca in January. “When the gaffer gives me the nod, I have to go for it.

“The coach decides who plays. I just wait for his decision. I don't think about taking Moya's place. I just think about doing a good job every day.”

Atletico breakthrough

Oblak impressed in keeping a clean sheet against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on his 22nd birthday before making a penalty save from Lionel Messi in the following round.

But the big opportunity came when Moya was injured during the first half of Atletico’s Champions League tie with Bayer Leverkusen. Oblak came on and saw no fewer than three Leverkusen players fail to beat him.

Jan Oblak consoles Bayer Leverkusen's Stefan Kiessling after shootout victory

“You can never stop working because you can find yourself playing in the most important game,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone afterwards. It proved a turning point.

He retained his place in the team despite the return to fitness of Moya and proceeded to play over five hours of football before letting in his first La Liga goal. He took that form into Tuesday's Madrid derby...

Key moments against Real Madrid

4 - Oblak saves right handed when one-on-one against Bale

31 - Fierce left-footed shot from distance by Bale is saved to Oblak’s left

36 - Rodriguez shot with the outside of his boot is tipped away by Oblak

42 - Oblak saves from close range as Rodriguez shoots from a tight angle

57 - Long-range shot from Kroos is held well by Oblak

Jan Oblak's save locations in Atletico Madrid's 0-0 draw with Real Madrid

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti refused to blame Bale for his spurned one-on-one chance, instead pointing to the “really important” performance of Oblak and the young goalkeeper’s team-mates echoed those sentiments. “He had an amazing game,” said Atletico midfielder Mario Suarez.

Real will be confident of finding a way through in front of their own fans at the Bernabeu but with Oblak having already shut them out twice this season, that’s no foregone conclusion.

Watch Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid live on Sky Sports 5 HD from 7pm on Wednesday April 22