The resurrection of Union and a touch of magic potion at Club, with Hayen as Panoramix: “An extreme makeover”

We are exactly halfway through the Champion’s Play-offs in the Jupiler Pro League and it looks like there are still three teams in the running to become champions. Three, because Union is also alive again after its first victory. Our commentator Tom Boudeweel profiles matchday 5 in the play-offs for the title.

The relief in Union will be very great, yes. Because in recent days and weeks, almost everything has been questioned by Brussels residents. The players, the

goalkeeper, the trainer, the physical one fitness, tactics, the famous team spirit.

There was a lot of negativity within and around the team. But I assume there is

an end was drawn up yesterday this period.

The 1st half of Antwerp-Union was not good, not for either team. Lots of battles, duels and tackles, but no quality on the ball and no chances, so the spectacle value is tepid.

Although I thought Union started with the right focus and drive. But after half-time the goal still fell for Union. Not coincidentally a standard situation, with another nice free kick from Puertas and that turned out to be the spark that Union needed.

I assume that the period of negativity within and around Union has come to an end.

Tom Boudeweel

Union took its moments last night. Because Union also had chances in the past 4 matches in these play-offs, but something always went wrong. Also in one’s own defense.

Now Amoura immediately made it 0-2 and the match was over. Puertas and Amoura, those are two players who made the difference in Union’s strong competition.

It made an impression with its football, its team spirit, a strong collective. That has been somewhat less in recent weeks. And the difference with leader Anderlecht is now only 3 points.

Antwerp may have to gradually focus on the cup final, on May 9, also against Union. Last week they took their first victory at Cercle. The coach then thought it was a good performance. But what Antwerp has brought this season, and certainly in recent months, is simply not good enough.

I’m a bit missing a plan or a plan B. Antwerp always brings what they have been bringing for almost 2 seasons. They also don’t seem fresh. And while last season they had the power to turn around a negative situation, they don’t have that power and grina now.

Van Bommel looked a bit desperate, a bit despondent yesterday.

Tom Boudeweel

Also look at the figures of Vincent Jansen, last year’s top scorer, the man who often won Antwerp over the line with his goals and work force. Now 1 goal in the last 16 games, including cup matches.

Also because he often had to play in midfield. I never thought it was a good move. He also looks completely physically better now. One goal in 5 games of these play-offs.

Last season, Antwerp relied on its strong defense, including goalkeeper. And 1 goal per match was sometimes enough to win. Now Alderweireld has to start fighting in the trenches at the front 20 minutes before the end.
Yesterday: one shot between the posts. Van Bommel looked a bit desperate, a bit despondent.

It seems difficult to me to turn this around towards the cup final. You have to gain some confidence in the run-up.

Tom Boudeweel

It also seems difficult to me to reverse all that for that one match towards the cup final. You have to gain some confidence in the run-up to the cup final. In your team, in the way you play. And that is not the case in Antwerp now.

I think and fear that the lemon has been completely squeezed empty. Toby Alderweireld also said this after the match last night: “Focusing on the cup final.”

The only point of reference that Antwerp has: in an all-or-nothing match such as the cup final, it is suddenly possible, with a lucky goal for example.

Yesterday was the first defeat for Racing Genk. It had received a lot of praise for its play, with Wouter Vrancken’s new system, which had given the team new impetus.

But against Club Brugge they were overpowered. Also outplayed by a very strong Club, for whom it does not matter who starts in the starting line-up. Nicky Hayen suddenly has a wealth of players. Even without Mignolet and Skov Olsen. Interesting with the busy program that is still coming up.

Hayen got the entire group involved in his story. Against Genk, Brugge was everything it was not in the past 2 seasons, with a slight exaggeration.

Genk was overpowered and outplayed by a very strong Club, where it does not matter who starts in the starting line-up.

Tom Boudeweel

There’s something there again, including a man with a plan on the side. Nicky Hayen has gotten Club playing football again. Wednesday with a strong defense as a base, an incredibly strong Hans Vanaken, a lot of movement around him, just the way he likes it.

Hayen always finds the opponent’s weakness and the team also carries out his plan, because that is of course the greatest requirement to be successful.

Anyway, even as an always strict and critical commentator, I was quite impressed. On the other hand, you also know: in the play-offs in Belgium it could be a different story on Sunday. Because Club might lose in Genk and then the title will be far away again.

I did not think that I would say this season that Club Brugge is a title candidate, but the figures are what they are: the only team that has not yet lost. 13 out of 15, plus 2 wins in Europe. That’s 6 wins in a row. That’s all you need as a team to start the final sprint with a lot of confidence.

You wonder how Ronny Deila is watching this Club Brugge. It’s just an extreme makeover.

Tom Boudeweel

Club Brugge has risen at the right time with the magic potion of Panoramix, played here by Nicky Hayen.

When you see how Igor Thiago celebrates his first goal since the end of January with his trainer, immediately after the goal and also after the match, you feel and see that he has the right connection with his players.

How he has resuscitated Onyedika into another player who can handle a higher level, a different competition. How Skoras plays football. Then you also wonder how Ronny Deila, the previous coach, views this team. It’s just an extreme makeover.