Union can knit an extension to its European fairytale on Thursday evening, because then it can force a place in the quarterfinals of the Europa League. For that, the people of Brussels will have to deal with Union Berlin, after they had to allow a 3-3 draw in the first leg after a late equalizer. After the great victory in the top match against Genk, confidence at Union will be great.
However, it is not all roses and moonshine at Union, because it will have to miss an important pawn against the Germans. In Genk, Yorbe Vertessen had to go to the side and opposite early in the second half Sudpresse trainer Karel Geraerts confirms that the Young Devil will not be ready to play due to an injury to the adductor muscles. He tried to train on Wednesday morning, but was too bothered and had to stop the session early.
That is a downer for Union, because Vertessen has already shown great things since he came over from PSV on a rental basis at the end of January. The 22-year-old has scored three goals and three assists in nine games so far and forms a complementary duo with Victor Boniface. Perhaps the Nigerian will be linked to Gustaf Nilsson again in the absence of Vertessen.
However, Union does not have to despair, because it already proved in the first leg that it can replace its strongholds. In Berlin they had to do without captain Teddy Teuma, who is now fit again. After all, the midfielder was already in the starting line-up in Genk, although Geraerts also took him to the side early in order not to take any risks.
