All statistics suggest that Levante should be relegation contenders in La Liga this season. They face 13.9 shots per 90, the most in the league, and have the most expected goals against with 52.26. They also have the highest PPDA with 12.67, meaning opposition usually enjoy longs spells of possession against them. So how are they sitting happily in mid-table in 11th place? The answer is simple, Aitor Fernández. The Spanish goalkeeper has been one of, if not the best keeper in Europe this season.
This tactical analysis will look at how Fernández, often referred to as Aitor, has been able to single-handedly save his team from relegation. We will analyse how he fits into Levante’s tactics, as well as how he compares against the league’s best goalies.
How do we know Aitor has been the best?
In our data analysis of the best goalkeepers within Europe’s top five leagues, we discovered that Aitor had benefited his team the most. Below we can see the goalkeepers that have the best PS xG +/-, meaning the number of goals they were expected to concede, minus the goals they actually conceded.
Aitor has prevented the most goals out of every goalkeeper in the top five leagues. The Spaniard has saved 12.5 more goals than he should have, which is truly remarkable. After struggling to get game time in the Spanish top flight in previous years, he has certainly made a name for himself over the past two seasons with Levante.
Along with this, he also faced some of the most difficult shots in Europe (0.31 PS xG/SoT), often saving them. As evident in the graph below.
