Last week in the goalkeeper mistakes LaLiga Matchday 13 picks I really had to nitpick some issues. It was a fairly clean week. This week, not so much, and he had a couple of very costly mistakes. Two of them essentially evened themselves out as they happened in the same game by the opposing goalkeepers in the game literally ended 1-1. That’s what you like to see not letting a colleague drown on his own! Really the worst two mistakes can be a great reminder that even the pros make terrible decisions. A lot of times it’s better to have conviction in what you’re doing as well. When you fill your head with doubts you can end up with the worst results!
There are no top of the line goalkeepers on the list this week. Which is a bit concerning. Some of these guys may not be starting for their clubs soon if they keep putting forth these types of performances. There are plenty of teaching points to get to though. As always the idea is to bring some constructive criticism to the topic. That way young goalkeepers can be wise and learn from other people’s mistakes, and they don’t have to make them themselves. That being said, there are a couple of plays here that are just hard to watch and critique politely.
5. Jeremias Ledesma vs Getafe – Lack of Effort, But We Get It
This play by Jeremias Ledesma is certainly the best of the worst so to speak. Am I saying that he would’ve been able to make the save if he decided to dive to that ball? The reality is that maybe he would, maybe he wouldn’t have. You have to take everything into consideration here. Basically the game was all but over and his team was done for. The shot that comes in was a good one, and he just looks exhausted on this play. It looks much more like he’s emotionally tired, and he just doesn’t try on this play. The reason why I decided to put this play up is because there are going to be bad days for you as a goalkeeper. That’s something that you can totally count on.
In an ideal world you’d love to see him get a dive in on this play. The finish is good overall. There’s an argument that can be made though to say that Jeremias is a bit out of position. I wouldn’t see he’s that far off-line. His reaction to the shot though is just one of total defeat. Again, it’s understandable he’s emotionally drained. If you’re coming up the ranks though as a goalkeeper you can’t take plays off. It could be one of these miserable days for your team where you get noticed. Who knows.
4.Édgar Badía vs Betis – Keep Your Head In The Game
It wasn’t until I sat down to write the analysis after scoping out the errors that I realized this was the second straight week that Édgar Badía made this list. It’s a total shame because this is a guy that’s probably not going to have a job next week. Elche’s 3-0 loss to Betis got their manager sacked. Whoever is going to be stepping into the role next is probably going to look for more stability in the position by bringing back Kiko Casilla. Édgar Badía cost his team three points last week. This week, he didn’t have a lot of options in the first two goals. This is the third one that saw the back of his net that day.
Just like I mentioned with Jeremias this is a case of a goalkeeper who is tired and sad and done. In reality though you probably want your goalkeeper to do a little more with this shot. He’s way too far back into the goal when the shot comes in. The flow of the play allowed him to step further out into the box. If he would’ve done that he more than likely would’ve found himself in a better position to effect the shot. Instead, he’s standing too far back and the ball ultimately just sails through his hands. Is it a tough save regardless? Yeah you bet, but if he makes it he probably has a better shot at keeping his job.
3. Sergio Herrara vs Atlético Madrid – A Really Tough Spot To Be In
Is this really an error? There’s an argument to be made here that this is a type of play that could one weekend up at the top of goalkeeper mistakes LaLiga. There are weeks when it could potentially not even make the list. I would have to say it is technically an error because he makes the decision to come out really late. So much so that he doesn’t even affect the ball or the attacking player. If anything, him coming out like that limited what the defender could do to potentially affect Felipe’s header. It’s one of those plays where you need to do everything perfectly for things to go right. Also, it’s one of those plays where if he sits back, and he just concedes the goal we maybe aren’t even talking about this as an error.
What would he have needed to do to have a better outcome? This one isn’t even about making the save. All that you really hope for sometimes is that you can get up in the attacker’s space and effect the header. I think that in looking back at the play you’ll be able to tell he’s jumpy, and he hesitates. He’s too pumped for the corner, and he’s jumping up and down. That ultimately causes him to come out way too late. Initially I thought he had a striker in his way at some point. He has a very clean box though should’ve been able to make the decision to come out earlier if he was going to do it. The cross though, and the header are both world-class to be honest.
2. Gerónimo Rulli vs Celta – This Happens More Than You Think
These types of plays happen more than you think, and they are harder than it seems. Naturally, it’s a mistake a big one, actually. Having said this, I’m going to try and explain what happened to Gerónimo Rulli that led to the mistake. One, I think he sees the ball late. The shot’s coming in from very far out, which is usually a good thing for goalkeepers because it allows you to get into position before you dive. With those types of shots and these many people in front of you that’s really harder to do. The shot also ends up taking a perfect bounce right in front of him and when that happens all hell breaks loose.
For the most part, you’re never in a good spot if you’re arching backwards as he is with a low running shot. That means you’re trying to compensate for something. What you have to do is either pounce on the ball with your body forward or try and volley it to one side if you’re not feeling comfortable making the clean catch. This is twice this week that I suggest that goalkeepers try to do forearm saves to make sure that the ball goes off to one side, and you don’t give up rebounds in the middle. I realize that’s never an appropriate technique for some coaches. At times though goalkeeping calls for improvisation. With these types of balls that bounce right in front of your face you’d rather get them out of there however you can instead of giving the rebound right through the middle.
Goalkeeper Mistakes LaLiga Matchday 14 Worst Mistake Matías Dituro vs Villarreal
As I mentioned in the beginning of the article the two worst mistakes happened in the same game. The final score was 1-1. This is one of the few times ever that the game has been incredibly fair. I have a lot of beef though with Matías Dituro tenure at Celta. The 34-year-old Argentinian is there because he has the confidence of manager Coudet. He was on the saves list. I’ll give him that. At 34, he’s never really played top flight football until now. I’m talking about topflight football anywhere. He couldn’t even really break into the Argentine first division. There’s a reason for that. The video at the bottom here is exhibit A.
There are two moments where he can clearly come out and take this ball. He’s not confident enough to do that. Which, ok keeps the danger going, but whenever you’re ready. When he is ready he comes out as soft as anyone can. He tries to catch the ball by putting his hands together like how you try and scoop water. What does he need a baseball mitt? Celta is probably going to be dealing with relegation issues this year. I really hope I’m wrong, but fans really should feel concerned that they’re going into a rough year with a goalkeeper who’s never really played at this level and is 34.
