Of all the glamorous signing the big three in Spain made over the summer, one of the most important could be one of the least talked about.
If it can be assumed Manuel Neuer is the best goalkeeper in the world, then possibly the second best had to be replaced by Atletico Madrid. Filling Thibaut Courtois' gloves will be no easy task for Miguel Angel Moya, but the early indications are that he will be a fine replacement.
Naturally, Los Rojiblancos went about their business in the shadows of the big two, and the same applied in the goalkeeping stakes. Barcelona and Madrid signed World Cup stars, Chilean Claudio Bravo and Costa Rican Keylor Navas respectively. But even by normal standards, Moya’s was a signing with little fanfare.
Indeed, most media outlets when listing the main signings Simeone made during the summer mentioned the young Slovenian stopper Jan Oblak as the man with the job of being first choice, the No. 1.
Yet, it is Moya who has been quietly impressing. It may have gone mostly unnoticed, but an assured and sometimes vital role in Atletico's Supercopa de Espana win over city rivals was very impressive. He did not have a lot to do, but made crucial saves over the two legs, and never looked flustered facing Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez.
One of the qualities Atletico want from a goalkeeper is lightning fast reactions. In big games when holding a slim lead, Simeone's men can drop very deep, with men from both sides crowding the penalty area. The goalkeeper will see the ball late, often with ricochets and deflections – think back to last season's Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, with Courtois pulling off some instinctive, stunning stops.
The only goal Moya conceded over the two legs in the Supercopa was a close range, deflected James goal, for which he had no chance. But some time this season, Atletico will be a goal up with minutes to play, and he will need to pull off the logic0defying save.
Moya also has a role to play at the other end of the pitch. Mario Mandzukic has started life in Madrid very nicely. If the 30-year-old can unleash some slick, accurate goal kicks to launch counter-attacks, they could be lethal.
Mandzukic plays the physical target role almost as good as anyone in world football. And with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Koke buzzing round the area waiting for knock-downs, teams will be terrified of committing too many men forward when attacking Moya's net.
Any team in the world – shorn of Bayern – would miss Courtois and his storming start to his playing Chelsea career shows what a talent his is. But don't expect the Atleti defence to let in many soft goals.
Moya must know he will be compared to the previous incumbent – what goalkeepers aren't? But wearing the jet black gloves, just like his predecessor, Moya seems to bring a menacing, thou shall not pass aura. The former Getafe man could be one of the most important players in deciding the final destination of the Liga crown.
