Leader Genk took quite a beating on the Union field. The Limburgers were unrecognizable, while Union finally found their way to goal smoothly under the impulse of Lapoussin. 4-0 was the verdict after goals from David (2x), Lapoussin and Sadiki.
It was another party in the Dudenpark. Pocognoli’s troops entered the dressing room at half-time amid loud cheers, and one Unionist in particular was serenaded: Loïc Lapoussin. The 28-year-old Malagasy was recently recruited from the B squad, and the prodigal son single-handedly defeated Genk in the first half with a goal and an assist.
After just four minutes, Union’s wingback opened the score. And how. With a wonderful long shot he defeated Van Crombrugge, immediately giving Union a win. Hunger was not only great at Lapoussin. Union played at a scorching pace for the first fifteen minutes, leader Genk did not know what was happening. Vanhoutte, Sykes and David each had opportunities to double the score, but the 2-0 did not follow. Not yet.
Photo: BELGIAN
After half an hour, Genk started the match a little better. Bonsu Baah’s first long shot went over harmlessly, but with a rehearsed number on the corner it was almost worth it. Bonsu Baah was able to take another swing, but Moris stood firm. We seemed to go into halftime with a 1-0 lead for Union, but that was beyond Lapoussin’s calculations: the Malagasy produced a perfect cross, David only had to nod in from close range.
Book immediately
Genk had to step up their game in the second half to avoid returning home empty-handed. Coach Fink had undoubtedly come up with a plan for the second act, but that plan was immediately thrown in the trash. Early in the second half, the ball landed at Sadiki’s feet, and the 19-year-old midfielder fired home. It was only Sadiki’s first goal for yellow-blue.
Photo: BELGIAN
The books could therefore be placed in the Duden Park. Genk didn’t seem to believe in it anymore, and it was even Union that simply remained the better team and looked for another goal the most. And that is understandable: when the ball finally goes in easily, you want to take advantage of it.
Beating
That is exactly what the vice-champion did: just after the hour mark, the 4-0 was already on the board after a nice run by David and ditto finish. Punishment. It was the first time this season that Union scored four times.
Photo: BELGIAN
In the last half hour, Union pressed the accelerator a little less hard, although they cannot be blamed for that. Boufal almost put the icing on the cake with an attempt from his own half, but the ball ended up on the roof of the goal. No one at Union will care that leader Genk sells a big pledge. A major boost for Union, a serious reality check for the leader.
Union is suddenly two points out of the top six, while Genk sees Club Brugge approaching four points.
Union: Moris, Sykes, Burgess, Machida, Mac Allister (82′ Niang), Vanhoutte (86′ Van De Perre), Sadiki, Lazare (66′ Boufal), Lapoussin, David (6§’ Fuseini), Ivanovic (82′ Khalaili )
Genk: Van Crombrugge, El Ouahdi, Sadick, Smets, Kayembe, Bangoura (59′ Karetsas), Heynen, Steuckers, Hrosovsky, Bonsu Baah (82′ Adedeji-Sternberg), Tolu (82′ Oh)
Goals: 4′ Lapoussin (1-0), 45+1′ David (Lapoussin, 2-0), 51′ Sadiki (3-0), 64′ David (Sykes, 4-0)
Yellow cards: 51′ Sadick, 55′ Machida, 56′ Heynen, 57′ Van Crombrugge, 73′ Burgess, 75′ Tolu
Red cards: no
Referee: Erik Lambrechts
