At 33, and with the 34 already in his sights (March 10), Marco Bizot is no longer a young forward who could succumb to stress before a match. The phlegmatic Dutch goalkeeper has seen others, but he obviously knew, 15 days after his failed outing against Lewandowski in Barcelona, and by facing a club from his country for the first time in the European Cup that he would be a little more observed than usual.
We bet that the Batavian press will be rave this Tuesday evening and Wednesday, as unanimous as the people of Brest who rose up at half-time to sing their “Marco Bizot, Marco Bizot, Marco, Marco, Marco Bizot…” Le Stade Brestois led 1-0, but could have been led 2, 3 or 4-0 without the saves of its goalkeeper.
The whole range of stops… and a little luck
A horizontal trigger to warm up (12'), a tap above his crossbar (20'), a good exit in front of De Jong (31'), again disgusted by a reflex from a firm hand at the level of his right post (39'). A final reflex (76') to get everyone in agreement if unanimity was not already achieved. The kind of evening where when talent can no longer do anything, luck intervenes with a post which returns the ball to the right side (57') or technology assists the referee to cancel a penalty after checking by Var (67' ').
Bizot needed an evening like that, an XXL performance (like already in Salzburg) at the heart of a season during which his status as indisputable number 1 has never been called into question, but his standards have fallen back to good after having raised them to very very good last season. The Dutchman was decisive on the path paved with stars which led the Brestois to a historic qualification for the Champions League.
At 33, he does not embody the future of the Netherlands but…
Brest was cut out to take a little tour and then go into the most beautiful cup in Europe. The small Breton club will most likely see the play-offs in February! And his goalkeeper certainly provided the last points that were missing, on an evening when he encountered the incredible offensive machine of PSV.
At 33, Bizot no longer embodies the future of the Orange selection. But his performance will be talked about in the Netherlands… “When I see the goalkeepers currently called up, I think that Marco is above them in everything, and has experience that they do not have”, planted in Le Telegram his former educator Alfons Arts, who launched him professionally in Cambuur.
Bizot was invited to be the substitute for the substitute last summer for the Euro in Germany. He had declined the offer to be the third goalkeeper on the list, preferring family vacations. He also had the Champions League to prepare…
