Clear tactics, Nielsen return and Vanzeir-Adingra pairing: lessons from Union draw at Brighton

The Union began its small European tour this Saturday evening. Before facing Sporting Portugal in the Algarve and traveling to Rotterdam to face Feyenoord there, Karel Geraerts’ men were in England for a gala match against Brighton.

A meeting during which the Union did not disappoint and stood up to their opponent (0-0) who was only playing their first friendly match of their preparation. The Brussels residents could even have, with a little more efficiency, leaving England with a victory. Nevertheless, some lessons can be drawn from this meeting.

A clear tactic. As in their first three friendlies, the Union played in a 3-5-2 which had done wonders in D1B then in D1A last season. Karel Geraerts has logically chosen continuity with this game system that new players will now have to assimilate as quickly as possible. If the Sykes-Boone-Van der Heyden trio was established behind Wednesday against Racing Luxembourg, it was a hinge without a new head that began this Saturday evening (Kandouss-Burgess-VDH). The result is greater defensive confidence. In the end, the Union released a second clean sheet in its preparation.

L’association Vanzeir-Adingra. For the first time since the start of the preparation, Vanzeir and Adingra were established by their coach. The two players were lined up next to each other at the front of the attack as Nieuwkoop and Dony took their places in the two lanes. Adingra, on loan from Brighton, has hurt several times thanks to his speed as on this solo made after half an hour of play. But like Wednesday against Racing Luxembourg, the Ivorian did not know how to be efficient enough in the last gesture. Vanzeir, for his part, showed less even if he was close to bringing the ball from the opener to the quarter of an hour of play.

The reappearance of Nielsen. Surprise on reading the match sheet: Casper Nielsen was a substitute for him who was absent from the first three match sheets of the Union’s preparation. The Dane, who is still impatiently awaiting his departure, even entered the game at half-time and therefore received 45 minutes of play. Placed on the field as number 8, Nielsen often replaced his teammates without sparing his efforts.

More game time for everyone. Two weeks before the start of the championship, Geraerts continues to give playing time to (almost) all of his players. Against Brighton, the unionist T1 made five changes at the break before bringing in six new players 20 minutes later. Youngsters Salah, Huygevelde and Berradi received playing time as did Imbrechts, the third goalkeeper.

A first for Undav and Kozlowski. Former Unionists Deniz Undav and Kacper Kozlowski received their first minutes with Brighton as they both went up at the break. The German did not have the opportunity to show himself against the unionist goal while the Pole, author of several good crosses, came out injured before the end of the meeting. Kaoru Mitoma, for his part, was not on the score sheet.

Union SG : Moris (65th Imbrechts), Kandouss (65th Sykes), Burgess (65th Boone), Van der Heyden (65th Huygevelde), Teuma (46th Nielsen), Lynen (46th Puertas), Nieuwkoop (65th Lewis), Ziani (46th Lapoussin) , Dony (65th Salah), Adingra (46th Berradi), Vanzeir (46th Eckert)