Our latest data analysis, which focused on the best in Europe’s top five leagues, was dominated by shot-stoppers in Ligue 1. The likes of Gautier Larsonneur, Predrag Rajković, and Walter Benítez were revealed as some of the best keepers in Europe.
This tactical analysis will focus on Benítez. The 27-year-old has been instrumental for OGC Nice this season, helping them to a fifth-place finish. The Argentinian, now hitting his peak, has been at Nice since 2016. However, only in the past two seasons has he secured himself as their number one goalkeeper. His form under ex-Arsenal man Patrick Vieira has been nothing short of incredible.
We will analyse his importance to his team, and what makes him stand out amongst the best keepers in Europe.
Hitting his peak?
Only in the past two seasons has Benítez found some consistency. His ability to save shots that he isn’t expected to makes him one of the best keepers in the league. To compare goalkeepers effectively, taking into consideration the quality of their team, we will use PS xG +/-. This stat measures their performance above expected.
Excluding Larsonneur, Benítez has been the best performer in Ligue 1. The Nice shot-stopper was expected to concede 42.3 goals this season, however, his performances meant that he only conceded 36. To put this into better context, he was expected to concede 1.51 goals per 90, but he only conceded 1.29. But has the Argentinian always been this good?
