Union therefore could not recover after the 2-4 last week against Standard, and on the contrary went into the boat with the same score at Westerlo. Two defeats in a row in the league is a negative first this season. Since his comeback in the highest class, it only happened to Union in those crucial title play-offs against Club Brugge. Just like blue-black, Westerlo is now what a black beast for Union: they are the only two first division teams against which Union could not yet win in 1A.
Westerlo earned his victory with witty football. Union was often overwhelmed, especially before the break. Vaesen hit the target wood early on and after twenty minutes the home team had built up a 2-0 gap. Madsen was at the basis of Van den Keybus’ first goal with a great one-man action and excellent through ball. Union was bothered by Westerlo’s fast interference and vertical football. At such a transition moment, Burgess let himself be trumped by Vaesen at speed. Goalkeeper Moris initially saved, but against Chadli’s rebound he was powerless. The party music in the Kuipje boomed even louder after the 2-0.
And the damage could have been even worse. Moris still had to jump into the breach alertly in the event of a breakout from Chadli. And typical of the chaos in the back of Union: after losing the ball in midfield, flank attacker Adingra actually had to play a lifesaver. He succeeded as the last man to intercept Vaesen’s ball. Offensively, Union had been much less assertive until then. Boniface weighed in and Bolat reacted alertly to a nice free kick from Teuma.
Union was lucky that the tying goal fell before the break. A nice goal, especially after a smooth combination between Teuma, Nilsson and Lazare who painted the ball perfectly on Boniface’s head.
His sixth league goal gave Union courage for the second half. Union now came up with Westerlo’s recipe in the first half, with a lot of pressure on the opponent and a quick switch. Machida shot narrowly wide from a distance and Boniface threatened with a few slaloms. Halfway through the second half, Union saw his efforts rewarded, albeit with a bit of luck. A shot from Teuma flipped over Reynolds and the back of Boniface’s head into goal: 2-2.
Union on and on? That scenario could have been possible, were it not for the fact that a VAR intervention would favor Westerlo. An attempt by Van den Keybus in the box missed all directions, but Lazare’s late tackle was worth a penalty by the VAR. Referee Boucaut followed the advice and Maxim De Cuyper decided the match with a penalty, just like last week at STVV. In the final phase, Nene secured the victory with a low slider (2-4).
Westerlo can count such a nice scalp to his strong season as a PhD student. Union also suffered its first away defeat in the competition since the 4-2 defeat at Antwerp at the end of August, almost six months ago. Union can lose its second place on Sunday afternoon to Antwerp, which will start at OHL. Westerlo, on the other hand, is creeping closer to the top four with the new victory. The way the Kempen team plays football now, they even seem to be a feared candidate for the Champions’ Play-offs at the moment.
Union trainer Karel Geraerts: “I didn’t convey the message properly”
Union coach Karel Geraerts was particularly dissatisfied with Union’s first half: “Everything was very bad then. I didn’t see the organization or duels I wanted to see. Then I didn’t convey the message properly. I’ll take that on my account. We were much better with the ball and in the organization in the second half. We will come back, but because of the penalty phase with Lazare, the match is against us.”
With one point out of nine in the competition, there is a sporting dip: “That may be, call it what you want,” says Geraerts. “Although I am sober as a coach. A point against Club is not bad, and against Standard we were not inferior. I see points that we can still improve on, but we make too many mistakes that we now see punished. They have to be removed if we want to start again with more points.”
All the more Union now faces a very important month of March, with the possible qualification for the cup final and the European round of 16. “I prefer to start this period in the winning mood, but in the past we have had a difficult period with the elimination against Rangers FC and the 4-2 defeat at Antwerp. We learned lessons from that, unfortunately that has not happened enough now.” (BF)
Westerlo trainer Jonas De Roeck: “If we still finish outside the top eight, that would be a disappointment”
“A nice victory against one of the best teams in Belgium”, Westerlo coach Jonas De Roeck summarized afterwards. “We started very strong, with the necessary pressing. We ran out to 2-0 and even had the 3-0 at the foot. It didn’t fall and then you know that against a team like Union, with all their qualities, you still have to work hard.”
“After the 2-2 we started playing football again. Then we brought our own game again. We forced a penalty and it ended up being 4-2. This game could indeed have turned out differently, but I think it was a well-deserved victory. We can be proud of this achievement.”
Where will this end for Westerlo? “We remain healthy and ambitious,” De Roeck concludes. “If we finish outside the top eight, it would be a disappointment. But Westerlo has shown itself in a positive way this season. That is still the most important thing.” (OSD)
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