The incredible campaign of Union Saint-Gilloise faces yet another huge test this Thursday when they play hosts to Bayer Leverkusen with the Belgian Pro League side aiming to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the Europa League for the very first time.
Saint-Gilloise have been incredible in both Europe and Belgium already in 2022/23 in what is only their second season back in the Belgian Pro League since 1973 after securing promotion two seasons ago.
Who do we see here? 🫡⚡️ it's Simon Fantastic ⚡️ https://t.co/rz4tIQkK0J— Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (@UnionStGilloise) April 18, 2023
Who do we see here? 🫡⚡️ it's Simon Fantastic ⚡️ https://t.co/rz4tIQkK0J
In fact, not many predicted them to get out of their group stage campaign either, as the in-form sides of Union Berlin, Braga and Malmo all looked good enough in Group D.
Saint-Gilloise secured four wins in the group stages and drew one and lost the other two fixtures. It saw the Belgian outfit net 11 goals and concede seven, with only Union Berlin managing to beat them 1-0 in Group D.
The two sides would meet again in the round of 16 after two matches already in Group D, as Saint-Gilloise managed to smash Union Berlin 6-3 over two legs on aggregate after a thrilling 3-3 draw back in Germany. Saint-Gilloise then went on to destroy Union 3-0 at home.
In the first leg against another German side, Leverkusen, Saint-Gilloise led for 41 minutes after Victor Boniface netted early in the second half at the BayArena. Florian Wirtz soon equalised for the Bundesliga side to level the tie and it leaves everything to play for in this second leg.
Leverkusen will still consider themselves the favourites to win on the night given their form and incredible turnaround in 2023. However, given the form of Saint-Gilloise in all competitions this season, there is no reason why they can't go on and make it to the semi-finals and make history in doing so.
Leverkusen are in excellent form in the Bundesliga right now, as Xabi Alonso has managed to change the club’s outlook all of a sudden in 2023.
The club now sit in sixth and in the European spots for the first time this season with a two-point gap on Eintracht Frankfurt in seventh.
In fact, Leverkusen defeated Frankfurt 3-1 two weeks ago to throw them into the Europa Conference League position, although they drew 0-0 away to Wolfsburg on Sunday.
It is set to be a tough game to call and Forebet predicts a draw here and for the game to see under 2.5 goals. This will bring the tie to extra time.