Union Saint-Gilloise begins against Fenerbahçe as the underdog

Union Saint-Gilloise will launch its League phase in the Europa League with a trip to Istanbul to face Fenerbahçe on Thursday evening (6:45 p.m.). In difficulty in the championship, the Unionists hope to find some color against an opponent coached by a certain José Mourinho (“he brings a particular flavor to the meeting”, confides Sébastien Pocognoli) and who already finds himself under pressure.

Eliminated in the third preliminary round of the Champions League by Lille, the Istanbul club has also just suffered a humiliating defeat in the league against its rival Galatasaray (1-3), which widens the hole in the Super Lig. Author of an 18/18, Galatasaray is five points ahead of Fener. Despite this context, on paper, the Turks remain favorites against the Union. “We are outsiders,” admitted Sébastien Pocognoli who intends to try to shake up his opponent of the day. “We are not going to go there as spectators,” he warned.

On the Union side, to hope to achieve a result, they will have to find the net again, while the team has remained silent during its last four outings. “There are points to improve, but we are creating chances. I hope that we will soon see a click, with this confidence that will come for the attack”, prayed Pocognoli.

To hope to progress to the eighth, the Saint-Gillois will have to start well. Indeed, only the top eight at the end of the eight days of the League phase will be directly qualified for the knockout phase, the clubs occupying positions 9 to 24 competing in play-offs to access the same stage of the competition.

After Fenerbahçe, the Union will face Bodo/Glimt (October 3), Roma (November 7), Nice (December 12) and Braga (January 23) at home. The Brussels residents will also travel to Midtjylland (October 24), Twente (November 28) and Rangers (January 30).