UnionAntwerp
Jupiler Pro League – matchday 6 – 28/04/24 – 18:31
timeiconplayerhomeTimehomeIconhomePlayerscoreawayPlayerawayIconawayTime
17′
Vincent Janssen
0 – 1
Vincent Janssen
17′
37′
Gustaf Nilsson
37′
Gustaf Nilsson
1 – 1
39′
Kevin Mac Allister
39′
Kevin Mac Allister
2 – 1
54′
Cameron Puertas
54′
Cameron Puertas
3 – 1
90+3′
Cameron Puertas
90+3′
Cameron Puertas
4 – 1
In one week the feeling has turned 180 degrees. Union is again a full title contender after a convincing comeback against Antwerp. Janssen gave the visitors an early lead after a miss by Sadiki, but Nilsson and Mac Allister straightened out the situation before half-time. Two goals from Puertas finally brought Brussels residents within one point of leaders Anderlecht and Club Brugge.
Union – Antwerp in a nutshell:
- Key moment: With peace in sight, Union completely rectifies a crooked situation. Thanks to two goals in as many minutes, the people of Brussels go from a 0-1 deficit to a 2-1 lead. The home team does not relinquish command afterwards.
- Man of the match: At the Bosuil he was already decisive last Thursday with two goals and tonight Cameron Puertas also scored twice against Antwerp. Once with a very hard pear, once with a bead of a place ball. Puertas already has 6 goals in the Champions’ Play-offs.
- Remarkable: Antwerp has now failed to beat Union for five games in a row and even lost the last two mutual matches. Not very hopeful for the Great Old for the cup final on May 9, when both teams will face each other again.
Union turns the tables with two goals in two minutes
Despite a dramatic start in the Champions’ Play-offs, Union was given an excellent opportunity against Antwerp to get back into the title race. In their own Joseph Marien Stadium, a dominant Union immediately took control, but the people of Brussels once again shot in their own foot.
Not Moris, but Sadiki made the mistake this time. He headed the ball back to Moris unluckily and especially badly and so Janssen was able to take advantage. Against the flow of the game, the Dutchman gave Antwerp the lead after more than fifteen minutes.
Union did not give up, but bumped into a strong Antwerp block. If Amoura did slip through, goalkeeper Lammens was there.
With peace in sight, Union was still able to crack the code. Nilsson was launched with a wonderful pass on the outside of Machida’s foot. The Swede played the ball through Wijndal’s legs and then technically refined it over Lammens in goal. A real class goal.
Union went all out, because barely two minutes later they completely turned the tables. The ball fell at the feet of Mac Allister in the box and with his first goal for the Brussels team, the Argentinian gave Union the lead.
Puertas secures the victory
Union continued to be in a good flow after the break. Ten minutes into the second half, Antwerp’s loss of ball was punished mercilessly. Amoura continued at speed and passed the ball well to Puertas. Lammens shot him with a tight shot, another blow for Antwerp.
There was no firm response from the visitors. On the contrary, Lammens once again had to show his skills on a place ball from Lazare. Union easily kept things under control. Four substitutions also made no difference for Antwerp.
It resulted in an unnecessary final phase, Union’s three-pointer was never in danger again. Puertas even provided a nice highlight with a clever place ball. With four matchdays to go, Union is once again fully in contention for the title. They are approaching within one point of Anderlecht and Club Brugge.
Van Bommel: “We walked into the knife”
- Mark van Bommel (Antwerp coach): “I thought it was quite even. We were given a goal, we didn’t play bad at all, but then conceded two goals in quick succession. Union is a very good counter team, which gives the opponent the ball You have to get through that and that is super difficult. For us, everything has to be 100 percent correct and then we can beat everyone If you play in and you lose the ball, Union will be in front of your goal within five seconds. They take advantage of that and we fall for it. That has to change very quickly.”
- Vincent Janssen (Antwerp): “We didn’t give much away with the 0-1 lead, but we didn’t create much either. We then gave it away ourselves, that is a story that follows us in these play-offs. I have no explanation for that. We try to solve it every time and we think we have a good plan. In the end it comes down to details. We tried to get a point behind It is still very difficult to get through it. That should of course not happen in the cup final in a week and a half. We will have to be a little more mature in the cup final, this team can still make a lot of progress.”
Related:
Phase by phase
End
With a 6 out of 6 against Antwerp, Union is back in the title race. After an unfortunate action by Sadiki, Antwerp initially took the lead, but before half-time Union put things in order with two goals in as many minutes. After half-time, Puertas secured the victory with the 3-1 and just before the whistle he scored a beautiful final chord with a pearl of a goal.
What a goal from Puertas!
Puertas puts the icing on the cake with a wonderful goal. The ball falls at his feet on the edge of the sixteen and in one moment he aims the 4-1 beautifully into the intersection. What a final chord!
Too bad for Corbanie, he has to stop his match immediately. Coulibaly is his replacement.
Dislocated shoulder
A foul by Puertas on Yusuf is strangely turned a blind eye by De Cremer. Corbanie is then whistled back for a charge on the same Puertas. The substitute lands badly and immediately points to his shoulder. It has come out of its socket and needs care.
3 – extra time
An extra 3 minutes will be added.
Udoh aims at Moris
Udoh loosens his devils for a moment. He cuts inside well and takes a shot from just outside the box. Moris has few problems with the shot
Double change
Blessin also drops Sykes and Lapoussin in the fight. They take the places of Lazare and Mac Allister.
Bad dress rehearsal
Antwerp does not give the impression that it can still shake Union. A second defeat in a row against the people of Brussels is coming. Not very hopeful for the cup final, which is scheduled for May 9.
Applause for Nilsson and Amoura
The hands are stacked for Nilsson and Amoura. After a strong match, they are replaced by Ayensa and Rodriguez.
Amoura aims wide
Amoura is suddenly able to rush towards goal, cuts to his right and takes a shot, but he cannot frame his shot. Moreover, he was just too fast and therefore left offside.
2024-04-28 21:11:58
#Union #fighting #title #fight #convincing #comeback #Antwerp
