Matthieu Epolo shines: Everyone stood behind me

Matthieu Epolo’s journey in the Belgian Pro League has been a rollercoaster, but the young goalkeeper is proving his worth.

After a few early mistakes cost him his starting spot, the 19-year-old was thrust back into action when Arnaud Bodart suffered an injury. Epolo seized his moment, delivering a clean sheet in Standard Liège’s match against Beerschot following a draw with OHL.

Promoted to the first team in the 2023–24 season, Epolo played the final five matches of Standard’s campaign, showcasing his potential. In the current 2024–25 season, he has solidified his role with 16 appearances and seven clean sheets—a testament to his growth and resilience.

At Kiel, Epolo’s performance stood out, with fans serenading him post-match—a gesture that clearly moved him. “The trainer had put me on the bench a while back, but everyone stayed behind me. That pleases me. It was a bit difficult, but that’s football. I kept working and today I return with a clean sheet.”

Reflecting on the match, Epolo added, “It was a difficult match, on a difficult pitch. We had to give everything. We could have won, but we could also have lost. In the end, it is good to return home with a point.”