Thibaut Courtois may have something to say about the fact that he hasn’t been included in this debate. There reason though why I wanted to do a head to head of Jan Oblak vs Ter Stegen on this site is because in my mind these are two goalkeepers that have similar, and more comparable playing styles. That’s not an indictment on the Real Madrid goalkeeper. Who arguably could be considered an all around better player than these two. Still, the debate between who is better out of the Atletico, and Barcelona goalkeepers is a healthy one to have. The two of them are without a doubt up there on the list of the best goalkeepers in the world. There are multiple valid reasons for that.
As I mentioned before, there are a ton of similarities in their games. There are also physical similarities that can be highlighted. When it comes to height they are more or less evenly matched. With Ter Stegen listed as being a cm shorter than Jan Oblak. If you where to put them back to back I’m not even sure that we’d be able to notice the difference. For this comparison of Jan Oblak vs Ter Stegen I’m going to be looking at key aspects of a goalkeepers game in general. To see how each of them stacks up. Hopefully by the end, there will be a clear winner. Although, with how evenly matched they are, there certainly will still be enough room for debate.
Jan Oblak vs Ter Stegen – Shot Stopping
Not going to lie this is a hard one to judge. Particularly since Marc Andre Ter Stegen has essentially brought his own style to shot stopping. The one hand saves that make him look more like Spider-man than anything else. It doesn’t seem unfair to say that he’s a bit more “elastic” than Oblak is. Particularly, since at the time of writing Oblak isn’t necessarily going through a great moment in his career. A good way to put it though would be to say that Ter Stegen is certainly the more flashy shot stopper of the two. That doesn’t mean that he’s necessarily better. This sense that Ter Stegen is flashier allows him to win certain debates amongst the fans.
Oblak may not be as flashy of a shot stopper. He regularly though, does make amazing saves. He’s one of those goalkeepers that makes things look easy. A lot of times that actually leads to fans or anyone watching the game essentially underappreciating what he does. When you look at some of his saves in slow motion and you are able to realize the amount of effort that it took to make the save you end up being more appreciative of the save that’s made. In short, Ter Stegen is more likely to strike a cool pose that will end up on a poster when making saves. Oblak is a little more traditional, and some can say boring. He may very well be more effective though.
Ball Security – Catching Skills
There’s a clear winner in this department and that is Jan Oblak. As I mentioned before he’s very traditional, or text book in his overall technique. Where as Ter Stegen again, does those Spider-man one handed saves. You can’t really catch too many balls cleanly when you’re going in one handed. Now, I have to be fair and say that Ter Stegen has a nack for making some of the most ridiculous catches that you’re ever going to see. You could make the argument that his technique shouldn’t necessarily favor good ball security. Marc Andre Ter Stegen though, makes it work. That’s certainly a credit to him as an all around stud. Gigi Buffon for example, is another one of those guys that has an unorthodox way of placing his hands. Ball security isn’t something these 2 are lacking in though.
When it comes to catching skills I still feel that the traditional technique works best. Jan Oblak isn’t a goalkeeper that is known for giving up second chance opportunities at all. He seems to always make it a point to get two hands on the ball. When he does get 2 hands on the ball it’s almost a given that he’s going to be able to keep the ball within his grasp. This is potentially one of the most underrated skills in goalkeepers. Particularly when you see that keepers that can’t seem to catch any ball cleanly have been able to have success. I say that as one of those goalkeepers who couldn’t catch a ball cleanly to save his life! Jan Oblak wins this round.
Corners & Crosses
This aspect of their games is potentially the weakest spot that they both have. In judging, Jan Oblak vs Ter Stegen we could say that neither of two is great at cutting crosses in general. That’s rather weird if you think about it. Although they certainly aren’t two of the tallest goalkeepers on the planet they aren’t short either. They could potentially put a little bit more effort into these types of plays. The fact though that neither of the two are great at this certainly shows that corners and crosses are one of the most difficult parts of goalkeeping. A lot of people who have never stood between the sticks can’t understand this.
Since Jan Oblak has better ball security he potentially should have a much batter crossing game than he does. So based on that, Ter Stegen could win the category. Also, if we take into account that Ter Stegen is a bit shorter, like a centimeter, but shorter none to less. That could also be a good thing to point to. To say that without a doubt Jan Oblak should’ve been able to master this part of his game by now. So it’s not necessarily that Ter Stegen wins the category. Oblak loses this category!
1v1 Skills
This is another one of those categories that is very evenly matched. Ter Stegen has very iconic saves that he’s made in close range. Most of them, though, have come in situations were he’s coming off of his line to spot to cut off the angle. Essentially what he’s doing is make a save to a close range shot. With Oblak some of his best saves in a 1v1 scenario involve him miraculously staying alive on a play. That play that Oblak made against Bayern Leverkusen a few years back still sticks in people’s minds. He’s made plenty of those saves throughout his career. Even if some of these saves are technically less iconic if you will.
There’s a clear difference in my mind at least, in the way that each of these attacks 1v1 plays. With Oblak being very cognizant of staying on his feet, and being alive in the play as it progresses. On the other hand Marc Andre Ter Stegen tends to try and force the attacker to make a decision quickly. He has the ability to jump off his line really fast and cut off shooting angles. Then he uses some of those great reflexes that he has to make saves on those short range shots. In this Jan Oblak vs Ter Stegen battle the winner is very close. The way each of them do it is essentially different. Both styles of play can certainly work.
Jan Oblak vs Ter Stegen – Playing With Their Feet
This is one of those categories where there’s a clear winner. Marc Andre Ter Stegen just feels way more comfortable playing the ball with his feet. An argument could be made that this is one of, if not the weakest point in Jan Oblak’s game. The positive thing about Oblak when he plays with his feet is that he doesn’t try to over do it. That should be a teaching point for all young keepers. You should not be afraid to put the ball in the third row when you need to. Not everyone is going to be quick on their feet. In fact, you may have chosen to play goalkeeper because you aren’t quick on your feet. Don’t try to over do it, but be serviceable.
Having said all of that about Jan Oblak, let’s talk about who actually won this category. Marc Andre Ter Stegen isn’t the sweeper keeper that Manuel Neuer is. That may have cost him the starting role for his national team. Potentially though, the main reason why he isn’t a sweeper keeper is because he doesn’t love to play so far off of his line. He is able though to play very well with his feet. Although he’s not a long ball hitter like Ederson you can see that he is very comfortable when he has the ball in his feet. He’s overall light on his feet. Let’s be fair that’s not typical of goalkeepers. Most of us are a little stiffer with the ball at our feet. Ter Stegen wins this category though.
Who Has Better Overall Athleticism
In this department it’s fairly easy to determine the winner between Jan Oblak vs Ter Stegen. Going with the goalkeeper with the better overall feet, and the bendy saves is a no brainer. Ter Stegen seems to be a better all around athlete than Jan Oblak. Who, in many respects ends up embodying what a traditional goalkeeper potentially looks like. In creating this article that is something that essentially rang true. Oblak seems to be more consistent at the key elements that a goalkeeper traditionally has to be good at. Ter Stegen actually breaks away from traditional goalkeeping skills. That in large part, may have to do with the fact that he is so athletic. So much so that he can make a tough save with one hand, and not really think much of it.
By no means do I want to say that Jan Oblak isn’t athletic. In fact, athleticism runs in the Oblak family. He has a sister who is a pro volley ball player I believe. It’s just that when comparing the two, usually we see Ter Stegen as the much bendier character. He’s more comfortable on his feet. Jan Oblak in certain situations is a little bit stiffer. As I mentioned before he embodies a more traditional goalkeeper. He potentially doesn’t concern himself all that much with playing the ball with his feet or whatever it may be. He’s perfectly fine with kicking the ball into the stands. Not only that, but he tends to put more of an emphasis on having better form at all times. Without seeming all that comfortable freelancing. With this mind, it’s hard to say that Ter Stegen isn’t more athletic.
Jan Oblak vs Ter Stegen Conclusion
It would seem that Marc Andre Ter Stegen won more categories. Does this mean that he is effectively the better goalkeeper? If we are just going by how each of them has played this season the answer is potentially going to be yes. In any case, although Ter Stegen won more categories I’ve largely considered Oblak the better all around goalkeeper. Can that make sense? I want to talk about this because it can be a teaching point for younger goalkeepers. Although Ter Stegen can be more atheltic, better with his feet and a superb shot stopper Jan Oblak is widely considered the better all around keeper. This is because there are very few things that he does poorly. Plus, his level of play is usually more consistent. At least it had been over the last few years excluding this one.
When you want a goalkeeper that can make a save to end up on a poster Ter Stegen is your man. Although Oblak isn’t as flashy there was a reason why he typically was the least scored on goalkeeper in Spain. Of course, the defense also plays a role in that. This year it could be argued that Oblak’s overall defensive line has struggled. Ter Stegen isn’t fairing much better though. The guys that play in front of him are getting old. The new ones that have come in haven’t exactly shown that they can be reliable. The way that I see it, it’s a technical draw. You can pick your favorite in this Jan Oblak vs Ter Stegen battle.