Jan Oblak is heading back to Madrid from the Slovenia national team setup with an injury — and an uncertain status ahead, according to reports Sunday morning.
Oblak completed the 90 minutes in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier, a 2-0 loss to Kosovo at Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana. But national team coach Matjaz Kek confirmed post-match that Oblak had been fighting through a physical ailment that is now worsening, and the Atlético Madrid vice-captain will not play in already-eliminated Slovenia’s final
World Cup qualifier against Sweden on Tuesday.
“The discomfort was there, we have to admit it. Now it has gotten worse,” Kek said. “I think there will be another goalkeeper between the posts in Sweden. I hope Jan doesn’t have anything serious and he can return to play as soon as possible.”
Great.
In a positive update to the situation, Mundo Deportivo has reported that Oblak should be fit enough to play against Getafe on Sunday. Marca though are less certain; David Medina reported that nothing will be determined until Oblak undergoes tests early next week.
Oblak has played in every competitive fixture for Atlético this season. He has shipped 20 goals in 16 appearances, though that figure is inflated a bit by the seven combined goals that Atleti conceded in Champions League defeats at Liverpool and Arsenal. While Oblak has not quite been his vintage, world-class self this season — his 70.6 save percentage ranks in the bottom half of LaLiga — he remains the first name on Diego Simeone’s team sheet; his saves against Osasuna and Real Betis helped deliver victories against both opponents. His 511 appearances in all competitions rank second in club history, and first among foreign-born players who have represented Atlético.
Seeing how conservatively Atlético have responded to player injuries under second-year fitness coach Luis Piñedo, I would not be surprised at all to see Juan Musso start against Getafe as Oblak recovers from his physical problem. The medical staff would not want to imperil Oblak’s status against Inter Milan the following Tuesday night, a game that is vital for Los Rojiblancos’ hopes of progressing in the Champions League.
