FC Twenty again failed to win its first win in the 2024/2025 Europa League after falling 0-1 against Union Saint-Griffice at home, De Grolsch Veste, Friday, November 29, 2024, early morning WIB.
Indonesian national team player, Mees Hilgers, who has returned after a hamstring injury failed to properly guard the Twente defense.
Union SG’s only goal in the 11th minute through Mohammed Fuseini stems from Hilgers’ mistake.
The 23-year-old defender failed to trap Fuseini’s offside so the striker escaped his escort when he received a through ball. Fuseini easily beat Twente goalkeeper Lars Ulnerstall in a one-on-one situation.
Union SG did appear more effective than Twente. They could actually score in the sixth minute through Franjo Ivanovic, but the goal was disallowed because the striker had already been offside.
The score did not change until the game was over. A number of opportunities for the hosts failed to produce goals throughout the match.
Twente coach, Joseph Oosting, confirmed that his troops deserved to lose because they played badly.
“We weren’t good today, we were bad. I think Union is a better team in all aspects.”
“They have a certain approach in the game, often playing one-on-one fights.”
“We can’t play football under that condition. Union is a very good football team and then it becomes very difficult.”
“We didn’t start well. We were immediately left behind and weren’t in a good position throughout the game,” said Joseph Oosting after the match.
Oosting further revealed that his team was weak in the one-on-one fight.
In addition, physical conditions that are not in peak condition are another factor that affects the defeat.
“We made a bit of adjustments at halftime. We are still alive because the score is still 0-1.”
“After the break, the audience supported him, Sem Steijn had a chance, but nothing more than that. Then it faded.”
“If you play one on one on the field, you have to have football skills to play under it.”
“Then we couldn’t do it, physically they (Unions) were at the top and it was difficult for us to put pressure on,” Oosting said on the club’s website.
Meanwhile, Mees Hilgers, who appeared as a starter, did not play full time against Union SG. He was replaced by Gustaf Lagerbielke in the 87th minute.
Previously, Hilgers played full when Twente won over Fortuna Sittard 2-1 at Eredivisie 2024/2025 on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
It was his first game after returning from a hamstring injury he picked up against Ajax Amsterdam on November 10, 2024.
The injury made Hilgers absent in the two matches of the Indonesian national team against Japan and Saudi Arabia (15 and 19 November 2024) in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
The defeat to Union has made Twente even worse in the Europa League this season. They were thrown into 29th place with a collection of three points from five matches that have been undertaken.
This position is clearly difficult for Twenty who is eyeing a fall, either through the top eight or the playoffs in ninth to 16th place.
Despite the negative performance in the Europa League, Twente is actually still playing well at the Eredivisie.
They are in fifth place with 25 points from 12 matches. Next, Twente will host Go Ahead Eagles on December 1, 2024.
“Fortunately, we will play another game against the Go Ahead Eagles in the next few days.”
“It’s very sad, but we can take revenge on Sunday. The chances missed tonight, we deserved to lose (against Union),” Oosting said.
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