Horațiu Moldovan, the 26-year-old Romanian goalkeeper, is on the verge of making his La Liga debut for Atlético Madrid after an impressive preseason. Following a period of inactivity in the second half of the previous season, where he remained an unused substitute in all of Atlético’s official matches, Moldovan has stepped up this summer, starting in several preseason fixtures for the “rojiblanco” side.
Impressive Preseason Performance
Moldovan’s standout performance came in Atlético Madrid’s high-profile friendly against Juventus, where he started and played the full 90 minutes. The match, which Atlético won 2-0, saw Moldovan earn a solid rating of 7.0 from Sofascore, making him one of the top performers on the team.
During the game, Moldovan faced several threats from Juventus, particularly from Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic. However, Moldovan’s confident play, including a crucial intervention in the 55th minute and a vital save against Yildiz in the 77th minute, helped secure the clean sheet for Atlético. His efforts were noted by the Spanish press, with Marca highlighting his bravery in a key moment during the match.
Competitive Start Lineup
In the match against Juventus, Moldovan was part of a strong Atlético lineup that included stars like Antoine Griezmann, Marcos Llorente, and Koke. The starting eleven for Atlético was: Moldovan – Azpilicueta, Le Normand, Witsel, Lino – De Paul, Koke – Llorente, Griezmann, Riquelme – Sorloth. Juventus fielded a competitive team as well, featuring the likes of Bremer, Locatelli, and Vlahovic.
Despite being tested multiple times, Moldovan’s composure and sharp reflexes ensured that none of Juventus’ attempts found the back of the net. His performance was only outshone by a few of his teammates, such as Cesar Azpilicueta, Angel Correa, and Joao Felix, who also received high ratings.
An Important Opportunity
As Atlético Madrid prepares for their official season opener against Villarreal in the 2024/2025 La Liga campaign, there is significant speculation surrounding the goalkeeper position. Atlético’s first-choice goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, has been sidelined with an injury since EURO 2024 and has not participated in any team training sessions this summer. Reports from eldesmarque.com suggest that Oblak has only been able to train in the gym, which could leave the door open for Moldovan to start in his place.
If Oblak is not fit in time for the Villarreal match, Moldovan could be in line to make his first-ever appearance in La Liga. This opportunity would mark a significant milestone in the Romanian’s career, highlighting his rapid progress and growing importance within the Atlético Madrid squad.
Moldovan’s potential debut in La Liga would not only be a personal achievement but also a testament to his resilience and hard work, proving that he is ready to step up when the team needs him most.
