Alexander Blessin no longer wants to hear anything other than the sacrosanct “match by match”, but his team has a shot to play to completely revive itself with two next matches which will take place at home. Knocking out Antwerp on Sunday would be a nice double blow: staying in the wake of the leading duo, or even regaining ground in the event of a misstep from Bruges or Anderlecht on the road. And take a psychological advantage over a team that they will meet in the Cup final on May 9.
This Thursday, the Union responded to the criticism by imposing itself in style. We clearly understood in the first half that this meeting was that of the two play-off sufferers. But if the Union is recovering, what can we say about Van Bommel's team? Contenting herself with defending, she needed a good hour of play to send a ball into the arms of Moris, and never managed to really put the Luxembourg goalkeeper in difficulty. Marc Van Bommel will have to reshuffle the cards to revive a drifting phalanx.
Puertas made everyone agree: the Unionists' notes after the victory against Antwerp
Puertas, three times rather than one
Blessin's team gained momentum throughout the evening. Despite a good first ten minutes, the Unionists showed some doubts in the first period. The latest results weighed on the heads and were reflected in the feet on certain controls or passes that were easy and a little less precise than in the classic phase, again and again.
But, at least, the Union had created half-possibilities for itself. The second period saw Blessin's troops take a step forward to score and finally lead, for the first time in this final round.
As against Bruges, it was on a free kick from Puertas that the Union made the difference. The Spaniard, not very successful in the first period, did not give up and was right on an off-center free kick where Lammens was not exempt from all criticism, recalling by default the importance of Butez, absent due to injury (48th).
Less than ten minutes later, the vice-golden boot launched Mohammed Amoura perfectly, who concluded, this time (56th), erasing weeks of frustration.
And it was again Puertas, who finished off Antwerp, delicately placing the ball at the back of Lammens' goal, after superb work from Castro-Montes who will be (unfairly) suspended on Sunday for the return (87th ).
A goal full of subtlety and collectiveness, scored via Lammens' post. As a symbol of a successful return, but, above all, of a rediscovered team. Would the Union play-offs finally be launched?
