Union St Gilloise mid-season review: Brussels side beginning to motor after slow start | OneFootball

Union St Gilloise had, like many other Pro League sides, a slow start to the season. However, they ended 2024 on an unbeaten run that stretches all the way back to the end of October. They have climbed into fifth place in the Pro League, just two points behind city rivals Anderlecht in third place. In Europe, a late surge has seen them in with a chance of qualifying for the next round. After losing their head coach and key players in the summer, the side are starting to look like their old selves.

Sebastien Pocognoli deserves a lot of credit for turning things around. He has chopped and changed, brought back some players from the fringes and ultimately come across a winning formula. This has certainly been helped by the form of young Croatian striker Franjo Ivanovic. The striker has eight goals in 21 games across all competitions. During their early season struggles they were creating chances, just failing to put them away. Now that someone is finding the net consistently, they are looking like a real force.

Transfer needs

The side could still do with a new goalkeeper. Anthony Moris has been better this season than the previous two, but at 34, he is coming to the end of his career. Apart from that and perhaps another central defender for cover, given that they play with a back three, there isn’t much need to tinker with the squad. They have loaned out both Casper Terho and Elton Kabangu, neither of which was getting much game time.

In past seasons, Union have been leading for much of the season until falling short in the play-offs. In many ways, they ended up running out of steam. Perhaps, this year, they have learned that it is better to hit the play-offs fresh and in form rather than concentrating on winning the regular season.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson