The Union SG adventure is on, as they have rised from the ashes of the Brussels suburbs. A club with a proud history from the past, but still not much known for people not following Belgian football at a close.
Looking back at the history of Union SG, you will find a trophy chaser of great dimentions, but 89 years since they last won the top flight trophy. it all happened back in the 1934-35 season. Before that they had won the league title 10 times as their total is 11.
They were promoted back to the top flight in 2021, being absent from it all since 1973. They had lived a life between the 2nd and 4th tier of Belgian football. Brighton owner Tony Bloom became influential in 2018, when he took over the majority of shares and the club start their climb back to the life they used to live in the past. Today Alex Muzio is the chairman and major shareholder, still having the Brighton connection in place with a minor share in the club to be part of the adventure in the Brussels southern suburbs.
The club have a grand following and proud group of supporters, and their intimate stadium is packed at home games, not taking more than 9 400 spectators. When Union SG returned to the top flight two years ago, their first season back ended in a fantastic runners-up medal.
Royal Antwerpen were the only team in front, coming back like a comet from the sky, taking the Jupiler with storm, showing it is possible to rise from the ashes. Last season became a bit of dipper, ending 3rd, but this season they are flying high, being in the lead after 24 games and on 58 points far above with a 10 point gap to the first chaser, Anderlecht. Club Brugge and Royal Antwerpen are in 3rd and 4th place.
So how was this rise possible and what type of players, system and management were used to get to this massive level jump. One player being influential is Christian Burgess, joining the club in 2020 from Portsmouth. In 119 league games the tall English defender has scored 12 goals. He has been on call from the first day going under the nickname “Air Burgie” because of his height and ability in the air.
The brother of Alexis Mac Allister, Kevin is currently at Union SG, signing for them this summer. They are born and bread in Argentina and their father is Carlos, a major figure in Argentinian football, being a player in the national team in the past as well as having played for Boca Juniors for a number of years. This special Argentinian football family has ancestors from Ireland and Scotland.
The build of this team is a very interesting view, with former Accrington Stanley defender Ross Sykes one to have an eye on, as he probably could be seen in the picture of a return to English football. Sykes (24) has a past from Burnley, being given an early cut, and interesting to follow this tall man on 1.96m, as he is integral for Union SG, and it will be interesting to see how it all progress.
Norwegian midfielder Mathias Rasmussen must be mentioned as well, living a dream and coming in that speical game vs. Liverpool, being part of a team winning against this major football club. Swedish forward Gustaf Nilsson is also one to mention. Madagaskar international Loic Lapoussin is also one to have been their all the way. One also to notice is their goalkeeper, 63 times capped Luxembourg international, Anthony Moris, a leading figure and captain of the Union SG. Three other important players are central defender Koki Macheda, forward Cameron Puertas, midfielder Lazare Amani. Highest ranked and most valuable is said to be 23 year old Algeria international Mohamed Amoura. His tally of goals is very impressive with 16 in 18 league games, since arriving last summer from FC Lugano, paying €4.m for his services. Also mentioning another recruit coming in this season, Kevin Rodriguez, joining from Argentinian club Independiente for a fee of €4.5m.
The job to build the team as strong as possible goes through a traditional model of selling high and buying a bit lower as the team takes new steps, seeing Victor Boniface leaving for €20.5m to Bayer Leverkusen, selling Teddy Tauma to Stade Rennes for €4.6m, as well as also saying goodbye to a number of other players to be able to fund their new signings, carefully build a good pattern.
A special game this season was the Europa League home venue vs. Liverpool, winning 2-1. Amoura and Puertas scored the goals. Despite this special win at home, Union SG ended 3rd in their group and will play Eintracht Frankfurt in their next fixture on the 15th of February. This game is a Europa Conference League match and we should look out for Union SG as a win vs. the German club could see them flying high in this tournament.
Will be interesting to follow the club further as it is one rising from the ashes and that is always fun to follow up on, so please not forget to take your trip among results to Union SG.
SOCCERVOICE UPDATE
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