Valère Germain reveals goalkeeper insight behind 2018 Europa League final miss
Retired striker Valère Germain has revealed that a specific goalkeeping tactic was behind his infamous miss for Marseille in the 2018 Europa League final against Atletico Madrid. In an interview with L’Équipe, the former French international opened up about the traumatic moment that cost his side a crucial early chance in the match, which they ultimately lost 3-0.
Germain described the pivotal action, which occurred just three minutes into the final in Lyon. Dimitri Payet played him through on goal, and with goalkeeper Jan Oblak closing the angle, Germain had the near post open. The striker explained that he intended to shoot across goal, as he had done since childhood, but changed his mind at the last second and skewed his effort wide. He stated the miss has haunted him for years, calling it the darkest moment of his career.
Years later, the 33-year-old sought answers and found a crucial piece of information through a conversation with fellow professional Benjamin Lecomte, who had previously played for Atletico Madrid. According to Germain, Lecomte informed him that Oblak’s goalkeeping coach specifically drilled him to shut down the far-post option in such one-on-one situations, deliberately leaving the near post open as a trap. Germain suggested that had he or his teammates been aware of this tactic, the outcome of the chance—and potentially the match—might have been different.
The miss proved monumental, as an Antoine Griezmann-led Atletico Madrid went on to dominate and secure the trophy. Germain, who came through the Monaco academy and enjoyed prolific spells with his boyhood club and Marseille, retired in January after a final stint with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Japan. His career was otherwise marked by consistency and clutch performances, notably scoring in big matches for Monaco during their 2017 Ligue 1 title win.
This revelation provides a poignant postscript to a defining match for both Germain and Marseille, who have not reached a European final since. It underscores the fine margins at the elite level and the detailed preparation that goes into every moment. For Germain, the insight offers a form of closure on a career moment that had long been defined by personal regret.
