L’Union Fait La Force: A Look Union St. Gilloise

How lovely it was for UEFA to fix this draw. Roma, one of Italy’s finest clubs (well uh, I guess they once were fine, right?) vs one of Belgium’s finest clubs. Two great fan bases. Two teams with a rich history. If there were one Belgian club I would pick to face AS Roma, it would definitely be Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Or maybe VK Tielrode because they’re my hometown club, but they play in the tenth division in front of 50 people, so that’s not gonna happen soon.

It’s a shame that the game will be held at the national stadium in Brussels due to UEFA rules and not Union’s stadium in Sint-Gillis. It’s a small, cozy but classic stadium that oozes history and charm. If you’re interested, just Google ‘Joseph Marien Stadion.’ They sure don’t make them like they used to.

Photo by Joris Verwijst/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images

Okay, so back to Union, established in 1897 and one of the country’s oldest clubs. Before WO II, they were Belgium’s best of the best, winning 11 titles between 1900 and 1935. Curiously, they never won another title after 1935, but right now, they’re still the third most successful club after RSC Anderlecht and Club Brugge.

Between 1935 and 2021, Union played in several divisions, mostly lower ones, but they could never repeat their success from the old days. In 2021, Union was promoted back to the first division after a long 48-year wait, and boy, what a comeback it was. They immediately ended first after 34 rounds, but sadly, during the following Champion play-offs, Club Brugge overtook them.

In 2022-2023, Union was once again top class, finishing with the same point total as leaders Genk but with an inferior goal differential. After a truly exciting and close battle in the Champion play-offs, Union lost the title to Antwerp on the last matchday.

2023-2024 was another excellent season for the club, and you guessed it, Union was once again 1st after the regular competition, and once again, they let it slip during those damned play-offs. They fell one point behind reigning champions Club Brugge.

Literally everyone in Belgium, even fans from Anderlecht or Brugge, backed Union to win its first title since 1935. It would have been a true fairytale after nearly 100 years. Alas, it didn’t happen. The current season is not going quite as planned. Union is sitting in tenth place, winning only three games in 13. For the first time since 2021, it’s an uncomfortable position for the club, but they’re not panicking. Yet.

Thankfully, last season, Union won the Belgian Cup for the first time in 100 years. And people say it’s been a long time since Roma won the Coppa Italia! To top it off, they also won the Supercup last Summer for the first time in their history.

Like I said earlier, this season, Union is not its usual self; they’re even one of the league’s disappointments. The reason is obvious. Over the past three years, too many good players and coaches left for bigger clubs or more money. For example, Union lost its coach for three seasons in a row (Mazzu, Geraerts, Blessin). They also had to say goodbye to their best players every single season, so it’s not that surprising the boom had to stop one time.

Thanks to player sales, they earned over €50 million in two years; for a small Belgium club, that’s quite an achievement. Boniface (Leverkusen), Undav (Brighton), Amoura (Wolfsburg), Vanzeir (NY Red Bulls), Nielsen and Nilsson (Club Brugge), Van der Heyden (Mallorca), Teuma (Reims), Puertas (Al-Qadsiah), Lynen (Werder Bremen), the list goes on.

It’s a shame because they played the best footy in Belgium for a long time. That’s the main reason why they were so loved. They mostly played in a free-flowing, energetic 3-5-2 with sturdy, no-nonsense defenders like Burgess and Kandouss. Lethal and tireless wingbacks like Nieuwkoop and Lapoussin. Athletic and creative midfielders like Lazare, Puertas, or Teuma. And up front a deadly combo of quick, agile and strong attackers ala Mitoma, Boniface, Nilsson, Amoura or Undav. They were like some sort of mini Atalanta.

Everything clicked so well during those years. Players always gave 100%, no drama, high press, dangerous wingbacks, amazing team chemistry, and a wealthy bench—Union had it all. Ironically, they were everything we wished Roma would be under Mou, DDR, or Juric in their 3-5-2 or 3-4-2-1 formations.

Of course, Roma has better players overall. There is no Dybala is running around at Union, and their goalkeeper has his flaws, unlike our saint Svilar. But Union won’t be a walk in the park. Today, there’s still a lot of talent at the club and enough players who could make Roma’s life a living hell on Thursday. Watch for guys like Ivanovic, Lazare, Castro-Montes, and Sadiki.

Luckily for Roma, the timing is ideal. The Giallorossi are facing the ‘worst’ Union team since 2021, but that’s the only positive thing. If Hellas, Cagliari, or Empoli could break this Roma side, well... Expect Union to write another page in the great Roman Book of European Nightmares next to Bodo Glimt, Slovan Bratislava, or Manchester United.

Where’s VK Tielrode when you need ‘em?

Match Details

Date: November 7th

Kickoff: 18:45 CET/12:45 EST

Venue: King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels

Referee: Jéróme Brisard (FRA)