What a turnaround: Union goes up and over LASK Linz in extremis and jumps to second place in the Europa League group

What a turnaround: Union goes up and over LASK Linz in extremis and jumps to second place in the Europa League group

Lotto Park exploded after Union’s turnaround. The people of Brussels went from a 0-1 deficit to a 2-1 win in the last ten minutes. A much-needed or European winter was suddenly very far away.

It’s not yet what Union expected. Last season, the people of Brussels raced to group victory in the Europa League and already had nine out of nine. This time it is a lot more difficult. The ambition to hibernate in the Europa League seemed far away for 80 minutes. It was clear immediately after the draw that Liverpool were favorites in the group, but it seemed to be open for second place in group E. But against Linz, even third place in the group suddenly seemed to become difficult for Union because the people of Brussels had been lagging behind for a long time.

Photo: BELGIAN

Intense match

However, Union did not play badly at home. With the support of around 11,000 fans, the people of Brussels started the match well. The two teams with a coach formed in a Red Bull team brought a lot of intensity and direct football as expected, which resulted in a pleasant first half. After five minutes, Union put together a fantastic attack. Amoura passed his opponent at speed and found Puertas. He liked Rodriguez with a backheel, but the Colombian was unable to finish. One of Union’s only chances in the first half, the Amoura-Rodriguez duo weighed on LASK’s defense.

Only on the other side the same could be said of Ljubicic and Usor. Burgess in particular had a hard time with the LASK duo. In sprint duels he always had to acknowledge his superiority. The Austrians had traveled to Belgium with confidence after beating RB Salzburg in the competition and it showed. Union wanted a lot of ball possession in Lotto Park, but that didn’t work. Blessin had also warned in advance in the dressing room that Linz always has many players who make an offensive running movement. He was right at 0-1. LASK was in the box with four players at the time, meaning Union defenders were short of covering everyone from the cross. Usor took advantage at the far post and cleverly scored the 0-1 goal.

Up and about it

Amoura scored the equalizer immediately afterwards. Only the VAR called the ref to the screen for a slight pushing error by assist provider Lazare in midfield. Just before half time, Moris kept his team straight with a good save on an attempt by Ljubicic who broke through. And also early in the second half he was paying close attention to a free kick. The match continued to go back and forth, but LASK was just that little bit more dangerous in front of goal. What works for Union in the competition is less successful in the Europa League. Balls don’t fly automatically in Europe.

What a turnaround: Union goes up and over LASK Linz in extremis and jumps to second place in the Europa League group

Foto: Isosport

Union demanded more and more ball possession, but again this resulted in too few opportunities. After more than a month of injuries, Blessin brought in Dennis Eckert Ayensa for Rodriguez, but the German was also unable to create a big chance. Then it had to be via a penalty, which has often proven to be Union’s recipe for success this season. Lapoussin provoked the eleven meter, Puertas kicked the 1-1 into the net.

We had just written that Union continued to fight until the last minute when Burgess suddenly scored the winning goal. Linz now also knows: you are never done with Union. And that ambition to hibernate in the Europa League is suddenly realistic again, because Union moves to second place thanks to the victory.

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