Le Puy – MHSC: Matis Carvalho drinks the cup at Le Puy as a specialist in the legendary competition

Matis Carvalho lors de sa seule titularisation avec le MHSC contre Lille en septembre 2022. Midi Libre – RICHARD DE HULLESSEN

The goalkeeper, who spent four years at MHSC, returns to his former club on Saturday, with the status of “head cutter”.

He was the most demonstrative during the draw, when he understood that he was going to return to his former club. There is a bit of Paillade within Puy Foot 43. Matis Carvalho, the goalkeeper, expressed his happiness, but there is no doubt that his teammates Thomas Ghalem and Tyrone Sakho (suspended for the match), who also played for Grammont, just like their coach, Stéphane Dief, winner of the Gambardella in 1996 in orange and blue, were not indifferent.

They all have in them this Coupe de France sensitivity that flows in the veins of La Paillade, but also of the Ponots, with this seventh 32nd final in eight years. It is not surprising that the goalkeeper of Portuguese origin has adapted well in Haute-Loire, contributing to the good results of his new team in the Coupe de France, with a quarter-final lost against Rennes (1-3), last year at Geoffroy-Guichard, in Saint-Étienne. And therefore to the eliminations of Dunkerque and Laval in Ligue 2 before…

“My best football memories”

On Saturday, he would not be against adding the MHSC to his list of achievements, despite his attachment to his former club. “I only wish them one thing, that they get back on track. It would be a shame if a team like that were to go down to Ligue 2. I don't think that's where they belong.”

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And yet, Montpellier is only four years into his young career and three appearances with the professionals (coming on against Paris and Ajaccio after sending offs, one start against Lille). “I came as number 3. I gained a lot of experience. The matches in Ligue 1 helped me grow faster. That's where I have my best football memories. I made good progress, I rubbed shoulders with great players and good coaches”, he said on Wednesday at a press conference.

Friend with Dimitry Bertaud and Joris Chotard

He also made friends there and will be happy to meet Dimitry Bertaud and Joris Chotard again. The goalkeeper from Le Puy has spoken with them since the draw and advised them “to cover up” for Saturday's match.
While it will be cold outside, the atmosphere will be hot in the stands of the Massot stadium. “I hope there will be as much noise as possible throughout the match. So that will definitely galvanize us”, assures Matis Carvalho, who nevertheless manages to keep a cool head. “It's not my match. It's the match of Le Puy against Montpellier.”

At 25, Le Puy's number 30 is starting to have to a little experience of these decisive matches. Which are often played on details. “Obviously, they are above us in all areas, whether physical, technical, tactical, mental, etc. Afterwards, in a match, we can exist.”

The Haute-Loire players will rely on their strong point, the defense, which has only conceded five goals since the start of the season in the championship. And their goalkeeper is not for nothing. “If we can keep that up, we are already getting close to a feat”, Matis Carvalho does not hide. He could then be as demonstrative at the end of the match as during the draw…

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