A few hours before the match, the club announced that Arnaud Bodart was “slightly injured and it was decided not to take any risks.” Real injury or pretext to launch Epolo? The latter knew in any case since Thursday that he would be the starter.
In a post-match press conference, Ivan Leko supported the club's communication: “Yes, Bodart was slightly injured.”
Before developing a little strategy for the last four playoff games. “After the defeat in the first match in Ghent, we knew that the European ticket was already almost impossible. We decided to give the chance to several young players (Editor’s note: Canak, Sahabo…). And that's the idea of starting Matthieu now, even if Arnaud has still been very good in the last few matches. It’s nice for everyone, including the supporters, to see a player trained at the club being launched into the first team.”
Standard: Arnaud Bodart, three questions for a transfer
The Croatian coach affirmed that Epolo, author of a more than adequate baptism of fire, would be lined up for the remaining matches. “We'll continue to give him a chance, that's the idea. It's different for him to show up in training or in a match… We discussed it with Arnaud. He was playing as long as we had potential goals but now it’s the right time to start Matthieu and give him the opportunity to show what he’s worth.”
