Against Twente, the Union must finally win its first European match to take off: “This Europa League is a real objective, not a bonus”

Not being one of the twenty-four qualified would be a disappointment for a club which is having a third European season and showed good things during the first two, each time passing the first round. “Personally, I do not see this Europa League as a bonus, but as a real objective. And I think that’s the case for the whole club. I like playing these Thursday night games.”insists Noah Sadiki, sitting next to his trainer. If the start of the campaign was complicated, to the point that the Brussels club suffered four defeats and two draws in six matches – including Champions League preliminaries -, it is also because it did not manage to come out with a full performance like the one produced in the championship against Genk just before the international break, for example.

Focus on Twente, the Union’s European opponent… who also emerged frustrated from their first Europa League matches

Several elements explain this poor mathematical record, despite performances that would have deserved better: firstly, the fact that Sébastien Pocognoli has to deal with another list in the European Cup. The team which plays on Sundays in the Pro League and has regularly displayed an attractive face, even if the results are inconsistent, is orphaned by David, Lapoussin, Lazare and Terho. Absences which add to the injuries of Castro-Montes, Teklab and François. And, as a bonus, to two uncertain players this Thursday: Machida and Rodriguez. Without all of these, the range available to the staff is smaller.

Level up

But if management must wonder about the reasons why this European list does not include certain assets – such as the lack of players trained at the club -, to only talk about those absent would be to hide, implicitly, the unfinished performances of those present. The exclusions of Mac Allister in Istanbul and Fuseini against Slavia, the hand fault of Moris against Roma, the missed start of the match in Midtjylland, and the overall lack of accuracy of the forwards in front of goal: the Saint-Gillois cannot only blame themselves for not having been able to get three points earlier.

The newcomers from the offensive zone, Khalaili, Fuseini, Boufal, Ait El Hadj, even Niang, have not contributed anything concrete. “I don’t want to limit myself to thirteen or fourteen names in my core.”replies T1. “Everyone was given a significant number of matches to show off. Afterwards, the players have the responsibility to perform well and we know that in the European Cup, there is a certain level and that the expectations are there. Some are starting to adapt and perform well.” The holders of this trip to the fifth in the Eredivisie, who are also looking for their first victory in six European matches, will have to raise the level and finally put out a solid performance.

8 point goal

The good news is that there is still hope because, halfway through, having four units allows you to be in this famous top 24, which suggests that eight points could be enough. So there are six left to go. Ideally seven, to be sure. While the program will then offer Nice, Braga and a trip to Glasgow Rangers. Yes, it’s time to finally win, so as not to find yourself facing an impossible mission.