And Nicky Hayen was smart enough to launch Talbi and Jutlga at that moment for an “all in” which directly bore fruit. Sébastien Pocognoli was slower to react. “I planned to bring Kamiel up (Van De Perre) just before and the 2-2 fell”he explains. Taking Boufal out a little earlier would probably have done some good, as the Moroccan international was sticking his tongue out. The T1 does not have the room to maneuver of its counterpart, that said. Having Rodriguez – out after jamming his back on Sunday – or Lapoussin – sidelined again for disciplinary reasons – would have provided more options, obviously.
A fight like the good old days: the Union and Bruges part back to back with decisive exes (2-2)
Decisive Mignolet
But if the Union did not win, it is above all to the credit of the Club. The reigning champion has enough quality and experience to go 0-2 down against one of the best teams in the championship and come back despite everything. Vanaken didn't score, but didn't miss much. Mechele showed Promise David the path he still has to go. And Mignolet, once again, disgusted the Unionists with a first grandiose save against Ivanovic at 0-0 (40th) then, above all, in stoppage time, a decisive save on a point-blank header from Burgess, which all Marien could see at the bottom (92nd). Substitutes like Talbi and Jutgla were decisive on both goals, too.
gullThere is still work to do, but we are here against the top teams.
“Of course I'm disappointed since we were leading 2-0, but overall it's a deserved point”recognizes Sébastien Pocognoli. “We still have work to do, we have to be honest. We could have been higher in the standings, but the reality is that we are not in the Top 6. We must be consistent in away matches, as well as in those within our reach. We are on a good dynamic, but we have to continue to work hard, because we have a young group. That said, we showed against the top teams that we are there.” It is also one of the lessons of this meeting, the thirtieth of the season, for the Union. Bruges, who were coming off a great performance against Genk, came close to the knockout. This Union is growing little by little.
Ivanovic did it again
A remark that applies to Ivanovic, who scored his sixth goal in three outings and confirms the dimension he is taking on. His 1-0 in stoppage time lit up the first period. Rather than Seys's approximation, it is the Croatian's brilliant stroke that must be highlighted. Ivanovic recovered in his own camp, played a one-two with Boufal then slalomed over 45 meters before adjusting a marvel of dry cross shot (1-0, 45th + 3). Already a scorer in the first leg, number 9 is expected to be one of the strong men of this team in 2025, that's for sure.
While waiting for the new year, there will be one last meeting to succeed, Thursday, in Ghent (without Burgess and Mac Allister, suspended). It will be necessary to increase the series to thirteen matches without defeat and, ideally, add a second away victory, just to finish 2024 in the Top 6.
