Union Saint-Gilloise returned from Austria empty-handed after suffering a 3-0 defeat to LASK Linz in the Europa League’s fourth round.
The Brussels side, previously sharing second place with Toulouse, are now third in the group with four points, behind Liverpool with nine and Toulouse with seven. Linz, now revitalised, have earned their first three points in the competition. Toulouse also shocked pundits by beating Liverpool 3-2, even if the English side maintains its lead in the group.
The group’s top team will automatically qualify for the Europa League’s last 16. The second-place team will play in the play-offs for the Europa League, and the third will be redeemed in the play-offs for the Conference League.
Linz, having started the match stronger, caught Union’s attention with a long-range strike from Ljubic that narrowly missed Moris’s goal in the 21st minute.
Two minutes later, a handball from Burgess on a shot by Usor led to a VAR-reviewed penalty for Linz. Horvath accurately fired the penalty into the top corner to open the scoring (25th minute).
A timid response by Lazare from Union (29th minute) was followed by a second goal for Linz. However, VAR intervention overruled it due to an offside by Usor.
In additional time, Bello iniatiated a shot that Moris deflected into a corner. From which Talovierov doubled their lead with a stunning header, allowing the Austrians to lead by two goals at half-time.
LASK's Maksym 'Maxi' Taloverov celebrates. Credit: Belga / Laurie Dieffembacq
Shortly after the break, Alexander Blessin made three changes bringing in Rasmussen, Sadiki and Terho. The substitutions, however, failed to improve Union’s performance.
Zulj further staggered Union Saint-Gilloise, taking the score to 3-0 with a successful header from Ziereis in the 77th minute.
Despite suffering the first loss since the defeat at Anfield on 5 October, Union still control their destiny but must improve ahead of games against Toulouse on 30 November, and Liverpool on 14 December if they are to remain in Europe.
