2024-03-16 07:08:24
By disembarking at Kehrweg in January, Renaud Emond marked in his diary the date of March 16 which coincides with AS Eupen’s move to Standard. His return to Sclessin is therefore for this Saturday. A match which promises to be special in more than one way for the Eupen striker.
Renaud, first of all your victory once morest Saint-Trond last Sunday was good. Is this proof that Eupen can still win matches?
Ori, and it’s a huge relief. We have been waiting for this victory for six matches. This was starting to take its toll on the team’s morale. We need points before starting the playdowns since the points will not be. This gave us a boost and we gained a place in the rankings. It’s important not to count too many points behind Louvain. Eupen can therefore still win. When I arrived, we beat Antwerp and RWDM but followingwards we had a long slump. However, when we look at our matches, we were often on par with our opponents but we were unable to score. For my part, I was unavailable and I was moping in the stands. In any case, this success is very positive. We scored and kept a clean sheet. That’s great, we’re moving forward but we now need to confirm.
Have your two goals already paid off big in Eupen?
Yes, they were two important goals, which brought six points but unfortunately I missed 4 matches between these two goals due to illness and injury. I hope to be 100% to start the Playdowns and above all that my body will hold out until the end of the season to help Eupen stay in the Proleague.
I am relieved that this match at Sclessin is not decisive for Eupen and Standard
But before these Playdowns, there is this return to Sclessin, is it necessarily a special match for you?
It’s clear that it will be special for me. I played for 7 seasons at Standard and in today’s era, it’s rather rare to play for so long in the same club. I’m looking forward to meeting my friends and playing in this stadium that I love so much. I am also relieved that Standard is saved and guaranteed to play in Playoffs 2. I would not have wanted to play a decisive match between Standard and Eupen.
Do you still have contact with Standard players?
Of course, I still have plenty of friends like Arnaud Bodart, Laurent Henkinet or Zinho Vanheusden to recite nobody else but them. We’ve known each other for a long time and I’m looking forward to seeing them once more. Everyone at Standard says it will be special to play once morest me but on my side, there will also be a lot of emotions. I’ll have to be careful not to go to the wrong locker room (laughs). This is going to sound weird to me but that’s how it is, that’s football…
So, are you returning to Sclessin in a slightly disturbing context following a bad buzz on social networks?
I’m not going to lie, this situation saddens me because it’s something I didn’t want. It’s a joke in bad taste. After the victory once morest Sint-Truiden, the Eupen supporters invited me to commune with them. They gave me a megaphone and I sang things in German that I absolutely didn’t understand, and then the capo made me repeat this sentence which is controversial. I realized it when the Eupenois kop sang it once more and I understood at that moment that I had made a mistake. I got tricked and I blame myself because I obviously didn’t mean what I said. It was out of context. I love Standard so much. I still live in the Liège region, my children are Standard supporters and it’s a club where I would have liked to end my career. Now I am happy to have joined Eupen where I feel good. I have no regrets but no one should doubt my love for Standard and in no case did I want to attack anyone. Those who know me know this well. I hope no one will blame me for this little slip-up which I deeply regret.
I regret what I said, it was out of context. I love Standard so much. In no case did I want to attack anyone.
So Standard remains the club of your heart?
Absolutely, as I said, I spent 7 seasons at this club where I experienced everything. Ups and downs but I don’t regret anything. I am very happy to have been able to wear the Standard jersey and I only remember the positives from my time at Sclessin. I am delighted to be able to find this atmosphere once more with these wonderful supporters. It always warms the heart
How many goals have you scored in the Standard jersey?
I mightn’t tell you the exact number but it’s around fifty. I think it’s not that bad but I’m a winner and I would have liked to score a lot more, especially on my return where it didn’t go so well for me. That said, my statistics are still correct, especially based on my playing time.
Your best memory?
There are a lot of them but I think it’s still my goal in the Belgian Cup final once morest Genk (1-0) in 2018. It was an important goal with a trophy at the end of the day. It stands out and is for sure one of the most important goals of my career, but there have been many others.
My goal once morest Genk in the Belgian Cup final remains the best memory of my career
And your least good memory?
I want to say this last year at Standard because I had a lot of hopes starting this season. I thought that I would be given time to regain the rhythm and level that I had before but unfortunately I quickly understood that this would not be the case. So, it’s true that it was complicated because the physical problems were behind me and I might have helped this team but that’s how it is.
Could you still have been useful this season when we see Standard’s difficulties in scoring goals?
Maybe, but that’s not for me to say. I was made to understand that I was no longer counted on, especially given my age (32). So I had to make a choice and I found a club where they trusted me once more. In Eupen I rediscovered the pleasure of playing football.
It is perhaps thanks to the support of its supporters that Standard saved itself this season
Does the current situation of Standard sadden you?
Yes, like everyone, I can see that the season is very complicated. Standard and its supporters deserve something other than to fight once more for survival with 2 days to go and finally to be relieved to play in the Playoffs 2. Afterwards the situation is not easy with the new investors (777 Partners) who make decisions based on the budget they devote to the Standard. Every year, the players change and it is therefore practically necessary to rebuild a new team, not to mention the departure of Ronny Deila. But I only want one thing, and that is for Standard to get back on track, finish in the top 6 and make a fiery Playoff 1 with this audience who deserve it. I think it is also thanks to the support of its supporters that Standard survived this season.
You don’t regret signing for Eupen?
No, I do not regret anything. The club wanted me and I play with confidence. I integrated well. The welcome was very warm. They are counting on me in these playdowns. As I said, I rediscovered the pleasure of playing football and helping my team.
Does Eupen have the means to save himself?
Yes, I am sure of it and I intend to do my bit to stay in D1A even if the pressure will be maximum in these playdowns. You will have to be very strong at home and take as many points as possible at Kehrweg. We will also have to start these play-offs off well but I think we have a good card to play.
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