Union keeps AS Roma in check after a lackluster game and has secured the second European point

UEFA Europa League – matchday 4 – 07/11/24 – 18:48

Union has been able to polish its European reputation a (little) bit. In the King Baudouin Stadium it shared the points with AS Roma after a mediocre match. Union fell behind after a mistake by goalkeeper Anthony Moris, but on the other side his colleague Mile Svilar decided to do the same. So it became 1-1.

Union – AS Roma in a nutshell:

1. Key moment

   After a mistake by Moris, Union seems to be heading for another defeat. Fortunately for the people of Brussels, Svilar misses a corner kick fifteen minutes before the end, and Mac Allister takes full advantage.

2. Man of the Match

   No one could really shine in a lackluster game of football. If we have to choose someone, we’ll go for Niang. The Senegalese was one of the few players who could occasionally show something with a flash.

3. Remarkable

   The Union strikers have been silent so far in the Europa League. It is Sykes and Mac Allister, two defenders, who scored the 2 Brussels goals in this European adventure.

180 minutes without a goal, Union’s counter started to rise seriously in the Europa League. Today the famous ketchup bottle finally had to burst open.

The only problem: an opponent like AS Roma is not easy to handle. Yet the people of Brussels immediately showed that they were serious.

After less than 2 minutes, Khalaili took out the sledgehammer, his arrow whizzed not far over the cage of Mile Svilar. The latter would be shocked again a little later. Ross Sykes towered over everyone on a free kick, his buffalo shot going wide.

After that it became more sleep-inducing by the minute. The Romans did not achieve anything at all, Union also no longer obtained new shots.

The second half was slightly better. Vanhoutte tried with a volley, Shomurodov headed and Baldanzi curled the 0-1 onto the post.

“Phew,” echoed through the King Baudouin Stadium. Because everyone had seen that Anthony Moris was floored by that wonderful place ball. But the relief was short-lived.

Because moments later the goalkeeper had to give in again. Moris was childishly trumped on a high ball, Mancini appeared in front of him and then scored the 0-1.

The Unionists could not get a response together, so it had to happen at a standstill. Svilar fell in his small rectangle during a corner, and Mac Allister was able to easily score the equalizer.

Afterwards, the errant goalkeepers recovered and the 1-1 never got off the board. Not even with an ultimate, multiple chance from Union deep in extra time.

So not a first victory for the people of Brussels, but a satisfying goal and a point. Have they now been launched again in Europe?

“I am more satisfied than disappointed,” said Charles Vanhoutte. “A draw is justified.”

“The first half may have been a bit boring for the neutral fan due to the tactical jousting, but after the break there were certainly phases that we could have played out better. But we can be satisfied with a draw on a tough field.”

“I have mixed feelings,” said coach Sébastien Pocognoli. “Roma is a big name and I am satisfied with the attitude of my group. They fought well.”

“But just like in the previous matches, there was more to it. That is our common thread in this League Phase.”

“We should have just won here,” disappointed Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar. “The goal against was a bit unfortunate. I want to come out and run against a teammate. It looked clumsy, but there was little we could do about it.”

“We are in a very difficult period with Roma, but we are trying very hard.”