But before that, there are the Imps and these two decisive matches (Friday in Scotland and Tuesday against Hungary). How does it feel to be here in Tubize?
“It’s nice. It’s my second call-up, but frankly, I’m very happy to be here with excellent players.”
Maarten Vandevoordt moved to the A. Do you think you will have the opportunity to play?
“Yes, it’s possible. The coach has not yet discussed the hierarchy, but there are two other excellent goalkeepers: Senne Lammens and Tobbe Leysen. I would in any case be very happy to play and I would give 200%. .”
Despite its mistakes in the Clasico, Standard must maintain Matthieu Epolo
Is it still a bubble of oxygen after a difficult Clasico?
“Yes, it felt good. But the next day I had to move on. There is the national team, there is another match and the season is still long. The Clasico is already in the past , so I don’t think about that anymore.”
Did you debrief the match with Jean-François Gillet, your goalkeeping coach at Standard?
“No, not yet, but he supported me a lot. A lot of people supported me. The players sent me messages, old ones too, including Noé Dussenne. I may still make mistakes in my career, so I have to get past all that.”
guillement
Noé Dussenne sent me a message after the Clasico.
Was it the context of the match, the fact that you were returning to Anderlecht and the emotion that caused these technical errors?
“It’s possible. But I felt good. Afterwards, it happens that you have days where nothing goes well. That’s football. You can’t perform well in all of your matches in your career. And It’s also better to know that now, at 19, than maybe at 30 or at key moments in my career. I think that’s part of the learning.”
Matthieu Epolo at U21 training this Tuesday.
Before that, there were six clean sheets in eight matches and very good performances. Everything happened very quickly.
“Yes. Frankly, I didn’t expect such a good debut. I think it’s good, at 19, to already have all that and played so many matches. But I shouldn’t stop because nothing is certain. I still have plenty of matches to show everyone that I am ready to be Standard’s number 1 goalkeeper.”
How would you rate your start to the season?
“For these first 10 matches, maybe 6.5/10. No more. I had good matches, but there were also mistakes at times. I sometimes lacked lucidity.”
guillement
If he works, my little brother can have a great career.
Does the fact that Arnaud Bodart ultimately stayed change anything for you?
“There is always a little pressure, that’s normal. But it would have been the same if he had left because there are other good goalkeepers (Henkinet and the young Poitoux and Godfroid). I have to show all the time that I’m there, that I’m playing good matches.”
Do you expect to receive a new contract?
“I don’t know, I’m waiting for the proposal (smile). We haven’t talked about it yet. I don’t know what management’s plans are. An offer would be nice. But we’ll see, I have time and I still have two years left.”
There is a beautiful photo of you and your little brother Malcolm, ball boy at Sclessin at the end of last season, which has been circulating. Will he take over one day?
“Yes, very soon. He is 14 years old, but he is also a great goalkeeper. I think that at his age, I was not as strong as him. When I see his matches, he is already doing great things. If he works and doesn’t rest on his laurels, he can have a very great career. The downside is that when you’re a goalkeeper, there’s only so much he can do. ‘only one playing at a time, that’s complicated too, but he’s very good and I’ll be doing interviews with him soon. (laughs).”
From the cat that bluffed Overmars to the controversial dismissal, Matthieu Epolo’s difficult years at Anderlecht: “He is one of Svilar’s victims”
Do you know who is the Liège goalkeeper with the most Belgian U21 matches?
“Arnaud?”
No, Jean-François Gillet. Is this a model that can inspire you?
“Yes, it’s inspiring. He gives a lot of advice in training, he’s always behind me. I hope I’ll be with him for many more years. I’m very grateful to him.”
