To be substitute for a goalkeeper of the category of Jan Oblak is a mission that requires patience. Always be prepared, but aware of your role and few options to participate unless the Slovenian suffers from a physical problem. Do not get frustrated and try to learn and improve in each training It has been the route used by Benjamin Lecomte during this season.
The French goalkeeper He arrived at Atlético last summer on loan from Monaco. At 30 years old, he signed after staying for the first time in eight years under 30 games played, completing 28. Holder since day 19, he had chained the entire second round in eleven. And, even so, he decided to try his luck in Spain fully aware of the giant he was competing with. Finished the course, his assignment reaches the end without making his debut with the mattress team.
Lecomte joined late, becoming official on August 19 after releasing Grbic to Lille, so he did not even participate in the preseason. In years ago, The Copa del Rey was the tournament destined for Oblak’s substitute goalkeeper. However, Simeone tried to redirect past bad experiences against teams of lower category placing the Slovenian also in the first round against Rayo Majadahonda, a meeting in which the coach sought to recover defensive sensations. After passing the round, Oblak was once again chosen under the sticks in the round of 16 against Real Sociedad where Atlético was eliminated… and Lecomte’s options were closed.
Oblak has not suffered setbacks, neither in the form of cards nor injuries, overcoming the coronavirus in the winter break. The Slovenian has played 51 games and the team’s 4,590 minutes this season. And Lecomte says goodbye to the club where statistically it will not be reflected in any way, except for a yellow card received in the match against Getafe for protesting. Not so in the locker room, since the Frenchman has fit in with great harmony and always good gestures and veteran camaraderie despite not having appearances. The French bloc, with Griezmann, Lemar and Kondogbia, accelerated his adaptation. And his affinity with soccer players like Herrera was very close. Now, Grbic returns to Atlético and Lecomte to Monaco. A silent farewell, like his work throughout the season, but a goalkeeper who has always put his grain of sand from the position he has had to occupy.