What is Union really worth in Europe this season? The club from Sint-Gillis had alternated spectacle matches with disappointments in the group stage of the Europa League. Union also does not always perform sharply in the Belgian competition, but thanks to its efficient attacking game it is still comfortably in the lead. But on a mild spring evening in the Lotto Park, the balls fell wrong for the Brussels club.
From three early chances, Eintracht Frankfurt scored twice in the opening minutes. The German Bundesliga club is in a slump in its own country, but gained confidence thanks to the uncertain performance of the Union defense. Niels Nkounkou dribbled his way too easily into the attacking box from the left and because Christian Burgess was unable to block the ball, Fares Chaibi was able to score the 0-1. After ten minutes the score doubled when Loïc Lapoussin lost the ball after a Union corner, and Frankfurt was able to successfully complete a counter. Three Union players rushed at the deep-playing Omar Marmoush. He simply had to get the ball ready for the free-standing striker Sasa Kalajdzic. Union had a horror start, a European punishment seemed to be in the making.
Speed demon Amoura
Yet Frankfurt forgot to press and Gustaf Nilsson scored the first Brussels counter with a header after 23 minutes. Union’s attackers played better than the defenders and put pressure on their opponent. The mental toughness that has characterized the Belgian leader since his promotion to the first division was also evident on Thursday evening.
One of those attempts to apply high pressure was a hit. Frankfurt midfielder Skhiri had come to collect the ball in defense, but missed his control. It was to the credit of the Algerian speed devil Mohamed Amoura that he was immediately in the area to intercept the ball and offer the 1-2 to the advancing Mathias Rasmussen.
The tying goal gave Union courage, although a good save from Austrian goalkeeper Heinz Lindner was needed to keep Marmoush from making it 1-3. Lindner was in goal because the regular number one, Anthony Moris, was rested due to muscle fatigue.
In the second half, Union controlled Frankfurt. After a free kick for Cameron Puertas, Gustaf Nilsson left the score 2-2 at the far post. Shortly after the hour mark, he shot acrobatically at goalkeeper Kevin Trapp after another Union attack. Ultimately, the 1m96 tall Swede did score, when he stuck out his long leg on a pass from Rasmussen and beat goalkeeper Trapp.
By scoring an important equalizer, Nilsson confirms his potential as a top European striker. The Swede has a special course. He is already 26 and was taken over from the German third division club Wiesbaden a year and a half ago. But this season he is indispensable in the Brussels starting eleven and, together with Mohamed Amoura, he sows panic against every opponent – including in the European Cups.
Red for Vanhoutte
Union went looking for the winning goal, but ten minutes before regular time, Charles Vanhoutte was unfortunately excluded with a second yellow card. The midfielder tried to take the sting out of a counter-attack, but unfortunately got the ball in his arm.
Union again focused on defense and scored 2-2. The return match will take place in Germany next Thursday and the people of Brussels will be preparing for a new all-or-nothing match.
