Union is already certain of European football next season after a businesslike victory on the field of Leuven

No, Union certainly did not play fantastic in Leuven, but the three points are a fact. Although it could have turned out differently on Saturday evening.

It is not the case that Leuven created chance after chance, but the home team started the match a lot more sharply, while at Union things went a bit more smoothly: unkempt on the ball, too weak in the match, you name it. But can we blame Union for taking it easy for once? The calendar is a killer, so saving energy is always a bonus.

Although there is always a risk involved. The home team came early, and Thorsteinsson was able to score in the first minute. Moris had to intervene for the first time.

© BELGIUM

And afterwards, Leuven also tried to look for holes in the Brussels defense. On the fifteen minute mark, Mendyl had a huge opportunity from half a meter to shake the net, but the Moroccan simply missed the ball. How relieved he will be that the linesman (rightly) raised his flag for offside.

On the other side, the ball did hit the ropes a few minutes later. Burgess was able to head in completely free-standing, but Visser had already blown the whistle for an attacking error by Castro-Montes. A typical action by referees, because there was a lot of doubt whether Union should have received that corner. Top-shelf compensation.

Leuven got away well, although the 0-1 was a fact just before the half hour. A corner went through to Sykes, who only had to tap it in. A piece of luck for a weakly playing Union.

© Isosport

Another disallowed goal

Also in the second half it was Leuven that immediately looked for that goal. Maertens was able to take a swing, but shot over. Union continued to play football on economy mode, and in the end that was a choice that turned out well. Leuven simply lacked the quality to really embarrass Union. Just before the hour mark, the match seemed to be over when Terho scored 0-2 after a clever ball from Amoura, but the linesman – again rightly – raised his flag.

Leuven could still hope for a point, but the home team could barely create anything. At Union they thought it was okay that way. When the people of Brussels decided to move up a gear, things happened too quickly for Leuven. Fifteen minutes before the end, substitute Nilsson put it back to Terho, who scored the 0-2 from close range. The victory was won.

The final quarter thus became a measure for nothing. Union has three more points and will certainly end the regular competition as leader, which provides a ticket for the second qualifying rounds of the Conference League. In Leuven it remains code red: with 26 points it is still in 13th place, which gives access to the play-downs.

© Isosport

OH Leuven: Leysen, Sagrado, Pletinckx, Ricca, Schingtienne, Mendyl (Nsingi 81′), Banzuzi (Misao 64′), Schrijvers (Mueanta 86′), Maertens, Braut Brunes (Opoku 81′), Thorsteinsson (Maziz 64′)

UnionMoris, Rasmussen (Lazare 68′, Kabangu 88′), Burgess, Sykes, Castro-Montes (Teklab 45′), Machida, Sadiki, Puertas (Vanhoutte 68′), Terho, Amoura, Ayensa (Nilsson 68′)

Goals: 29′ Sykes (Burgess, 0-1), 74′ Terho (Nilsson, 0-2)

Yellow cards: 6′ Thorsteinsson (foul), 24′ Burgess (spoiler), 24′ Maertens (spoiler), 40′ Sykes (foul), 52′ Teklab (foul), 79′ Misao (foul)

Red cards: no

Referee: Lawrence Visser

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