What went wrong for Union last night? The Belgian vice champion gave up an excellent starting position against Glasgow Rangers. Peter Vandenbempt looks back and forward a day later: “Union will be able to take a more enjoyable course in the Europa League.”
Search for causes. What made Union take such a hit in Glasgow six days after the stunt in front of its own audience?
“A combination of two things”, opens Peter Vandenbempt, who experienced it live on Ibrox. “First of all, they played too little football themselves. Union has not shown any guts. In addition, individual mistakes, such as those of Van der Heyden and Moris, are punished at this level.”
“It is still a missed opportunity,” concludes Vandenbempt. “Because looking over two matches, Rangers were no better. Really, they disappointed me a lot. Even yesterday. Because they didn’t bring the quality of Union last week.”
Offensively it was the “Big Nothing” at Union yesterday.
“Perhaps the emphasis was too much on defense. Because offensively it was the “Big Nothing” at Union yesterday. Barely one ball between the posts in ninety minutes… Then it is difficult to score a goal. However, the difference between the two teams was not as big as the final score suggests.”
Vandenbempt points out that Union still lacks experience on the international stage. And of course there was also the swirling atmosphere at Ibrox. “But Union did get the chance to temper that,” the commentator puts into perspective. “After the opening phase, that noise quickly stopped.”
“Then Union had the chance to go over, but they were just too low. Vanzeir was parked 70 meters from goal. And last week’s best players – Lazare, Lapoussin and Teuma – were now below the norm. Maybe that one played too. heavy defeat in Mechelen something to do with it.”
Just like Rangers, Union has no place in the groups of the Champions League.
Still, Vandenbempt thinks that the reference to the Europa League, despite missing the Champions League millions, does not have to mean drama for Union.
“Because, just like Rangers, they have no place in the groups of the champions ball. Union can take a much nicer course in the Europa League. Imagine that, like Lierse at the time, you get a beating every week in the Champions League… That is not pleasant, apart from the many millions.”
