'Must buy' – Atlético Madrid told they need to sign Aston Villa star
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Atlético Madrid would have made it to the Champions League quarterfinals if Aston Villa star Emiliano Martínez was in goal for them.
That’s at least what journalist Juan Carlos Pasman claims in his column for Bolavip in Argentina.
Aston Villa made it to the last eight of the competition after a 6-1 aggregate win over Club Brugge.
Martínez was instrumental in Argentina’s success at the 2022 World Cup and the last two editions of the Copa América.
He was the hero for his country in the penalty shootout in the 2021 Copa América semi-final against Colombia, in the World Cup final against France and against Ecuador in the quarterfinals of the last edition of the Copa América.
On Wednesday, Atlético lost to Real Madrid via a penalty shootout with Jan Oblak in goal. Juan Carlos Pasman claims the outcome would have been different if the Aston Villa star was Los Rojiblancos’ goalkeeper.
He has encouraged Atlético manager Diego Simeone to consider making a move for the 32-year-old Argentina international in the summer window.
“Cholo Simeone must buy Dibu Martínez if he wants to win the Champions League with Atlético Madrid,” he said.
“We’re in the era of penalties, and Atlético Madrid needs an expert goalkeeper to win the title.
“We’re in the era of penalties. Boca Juniors were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores on penalties, River Plate lost the final to Talleres on penalties, and now Atlético Madrid is eliminated from the Champions League on penalties.
“With Emiliano Martínez, Cholo Simeone would have reached the quarter-final. Cholo’s next purchase should be Dibu to win the Champions League once and for all.”
Oblak has been the first-choice goalkeeper at Atlético for more than a decade and has a contract until 2028.
Martínez’s contract lasts until 2029, and that makes it difficult for any club to take him away from Aston Villa.
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