Union – KVC Westerlo
A crazy Wednesday evening that will remain etched in our memories for a long time to come, an evening full of twists and turns with an explosion of joy in the 98th minute. It won’t be often that a draw is met with such jubilation.
KVC Westerlo
The star of the evening was our central defender Seiji Kimura. While everyone was celebrating, he asked why everyone was so happy, because we conceded five goals. Then you know you have the right mentality in the group.
In this century, only four teams have scored five or more goals against Club Brugge. You know, the Brugge that sent Rangers home with a 6-0 defeat and the French vice-champions AS Monaco with a 4-1 defeat. Who were those four? KRC Genk in 2008 and, in the Champions League, Leipzig, Manchester City and PSG all scored five times at the Jan Breydel Stadium. Conclusion: a nice list to be among.
This time, Allahyar Sayyadmanesh appeared in the starting line-up, relegating Griffin Yow to a reserve role. Our Iranian did not disappoint, but game changer Yow also showed his qualities. Incidentally, the other lads who came on also showed their qualities in this young team. Once again, coach Charaï can choose from a fully fit squad to take on league leaders Union.
The last time we beat Union was in 2019. The next seven encounters ended in a draw (four times) or a defeat. Perhaps we should ask former coach Jan Ceulemans for the final score; in Bruges, he was spot on with his 5-5 prediction.
Union Saint-Gilloise
Before they host Newcastle next Wednesday – albeit at Anderlecht’s Lotto Park – they first have to face us.
Will coach Pocognoli rotate or not, considering that Sykes, Patris, Schoofs, Van De Perre and Florucz were used as substitutes against Genk last week? When they played their first Champions League match last time, they played at Dender and Pocognoli made two substitutions, resting Burgess and Rodriguez and bringing on Florucz and Sykes.
The normal starting eleven consists of: goalkeeper Scherpen, who has the highest save percentage in our league at 93%. Two of the three central defenders, MacAllister (261) and captain Burgess (511), have more matches on their CVs than our entire team. Fedde Leysen, brother of goalkeeper Tobe, completes the trio.
Rasmussen, Zorgane and El Hadj are the most central midfielders, while Khalali and Niang occupy the flanks. Rodriguez and David are the strikers. Union have already played 10 matches this season, winning 7 and losing 1. The lost match was the Super Cup against Club Brugge (1-2). Their goal difference is also very impressive at 21-7. Twelve players have already scored, with three players scoring four times: Rodriguez, Florucz and David, and the rest finding the net once.
Referee
Nicolas Laforge has been a FIFA referee for 10 years. This season, he has officiated in five matches, with the remarkable fact that no team has scored more than once. We won five of the 18 matches with him, while our opponents Union did so 15 times out of 22.
Text and statistics: Peter Boons
