At Union, they can now really start dreaming of a historic national title. Last week, the PhD student overcame Anderlecht and played a draw at Club Brugge, now Union also went on to win at number two Antwerp. It became 0-2: top scorer Deniz Undav signed for both goals and also received help from buddy Dante Vanzeir. Union now has a 10-point lead on Antwerp and 12 on Club Brugge, which will still play against AA Gent on Sunday.
Beforehand, the question was whether we would have a closed game with the two best defenses in the country against each other, or just a high-scoring duel as both teams worked their way to the top of the standings with great efficiency. Both coaches each had one substitution in store for this top poster. Priske put his top scorer Frey on the bench and opted for Miyoshi’s agility. Mazzu was forced to intervene. Lapoussin was slightly injured on Friday practice. François was his replacement, as a result of which Nieuwkoop moved from right to left.
burly party
The first half was not for the faint of heart. De Laet set the tone with a yellow card after four minutes for an intervention on Van Der Heyden. The same Van Der Heyden also went on a ticket when he put in a strong tackle on Yusuf moments later. The Unionist, incidentally, escaped the exclusion. Referee Van Driessche left an intervention on the broken Balikwisha unpunished. A foul and a second yellow card was in order here.
Photo: BELGA
Fortunately, we also got to see shots on goal, especially from the visitors. Dessoleil held out Lazare with an ultimate sliding of a goal, Undav kicked the outside of the post and then straight into the hands of Butez, and Teuma aimed his shot just wide. A smoothly combining Union really deserved a goal before the break. In addition, there was also a draw error with a smell from Nainggolan on Lazare in the sixteen. Also now Van Driessche gestured of Curve Ace.
As the first half progressed Antwerp restored the balance. Ripe scoring opportunities, however, were too few. Verstraete almost surprised Moris with a volley full of effect. When the home team was able to counter lightning fast, Samatta squandered the tempting breakout with a bad pass. So it remained 0-0 half way.
Undav strikes twice
Early in the second period, the Great Old had to deal with bad luck. Engels sustained a muscle injury in a game, after which Almeida replaced him. Soon after his turn, the Portuguese let himself be trumped by Undav. François crossed the line, Lazare cleverly let the leather run through and the German killer finished off coolly.
Foto: Isosport
Antwerp now had to react and got a better grip on the match. Nainggolan took his chance from far, Miyoshi shot too wildly over Moris’ cage. Priske threw Frey and Eggestein into the battle to force the equalizer, but the goal fell on the other side. Nielsen sent Vanzeir deep after De Laet lost the ball. The Limburger put the ball perfectly ready for his striker brother who made it 0-2. Undav celebrated his twentieth league goal by jeering the Antwerp spy head, and as a result got a few projectiles hurled at the head.
The hope of winning points was now completely gone at Antwerp, especially when Moris stopped a place ball from Balikwisha and thus ensured the thirteenth Brussels clean sheet of the season. In the five minutes of injury time, the 0-2 remained on the board. Thanks to this important three-pointer, Union is ten points clear of Antwerp and reinforces its favorite status for the title. The stock number 1 may see Club Brugge slip back to second place later this weekend.
Priske speaks of ‘painful’ defeat: “If you don’t work together, it won’t work”
The defeat against Union hit the Antwerp camp firmly, in the first place with trainer Brian Priske. “Union deserved to win. It was the best team and it also stood out individually”, the Dane analyzed the topper. The difference in quality between the two teams was striking, although Priske was mostly disappointed in his own team. “We didn’t play a good game. No rest in possession, too often using the long ball, too little movement… All those observations hurt. If you don’t work together, it becomes difficult to disrupt an opponent with a good organization.”
Union widened the gap with Antwerp to ten points with this important victory. What does this mean for the Great Old’s role in the title race? “Union remains the leader and therefore the big favorite,” Priske says. “It would have been no different if we had won today. We have no choice but to get started. Hopefully this defeat is a lesson for us. Everyone must realize that we will have to work even harder. That’s the only way you come back stronger.”
In conclusion, Priske discussed the injury of Engels, who had to leave the game shortly after the break. The centre-back was out with a hamstring injury and will be sidelined for at least a few weeks.
Photo: BELGA
