A more than unusual situation therefore, but which does not frighten Sébastien Pocognoli. “It’s a challenge but I like it, explained the Union coach from Tubize where his team trained this Wednesday. This is the moment for the group to show that the collective is the most important. Those who start the match will give their all and the substitutes will be able to contribute something, even the young ones. We are ready even if the scenario is different from other matches.”
Among the names of the absent players is that of Alessio Castro-Montes. The Belgian, who was recently sidelined for two months, is now out for two weeks due to a fascia injury. Sofiane Boufal, for his part, suffers from a torn quadriceps and will be out for even longer. Enough to add difficulties to Pocognoli when it comes to making his basic eleven before facing Braga… “We have solutions and good solutions, he said. Even if the bench will be smaller, we will have a good team on paper. We have been working in advance since the start of the season to deal with this type of scenario. Tactically? When there are many absences, it is possible to make a change of tactical system. We will see based on the profile of the players and the opponent while trying to destabilize the players as little as possible.”
The Union will play its 50th European match against Braga. The record is 18 victories, 10 draws and 21 defeats.
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Even if the team is decimated, the Union has everything in hand to qualify at least for the Europa League play-offs. Currently twentieth with eight points, the Brussels residents face a lower ranked team who will not be able to calculate whether they want to continue their European adventure this season. “We are going to play against a great team from Braga which has been of European renown over the last ten years, commented Pocognoli. They are a tactically well-established team, with a lot of speed and experience. It is quite complete, in our image. I won’t say that we are favorites even if we play at home and the match will not be decisive because we will still have a trip to Rangers next week. But if we can take shelter this Thursday, I will sign directly.”
Next to the ten in reference to those absent, the other number of the evening will be fifty: against the Portuguese, the Union will celebrate the fiftieth European match in its history. The club’s current European record is 10 draws, 21 defeats and 18 victories. A 19th this Thursday evening would certainly have a very special taste given the very atypical situation facing the Union…
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