September 17 – The Champions League kicked off last night with Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise enjoying a dream debut in the competition with a comprehensive 3-1 victory away to PSV Eindhoven.
At times, Union rode their luck, but the Belgian side demonstrated that they belong among the European elite from the get-go to take a 2-0 lead inside the first 40 minutes. Promise David converted a 9th-minute spot kick and Anouar Ait El Hadj doubled the visitors’ lead with a wonderful solo goal.
Kevin Mac Allister, the brother of Liverpool midfielder Alexis, sealed the victory when he bundled home from a corner with nine minutes left. Ruben van Bommel, who had hit the crossbar earlier, scored a consolation goal for the Dutch champions in the 90th minute, but Eindhoven had been outplayed by their Belgian counterparts.
“It’s abnormal what’s happened to Union over the past five years,” said Union manager Sebastien Pocognoli. “Today is an apotheosis. Yet our strength lies in simply moving on from tomorrow.”
On Wednesday, the Dutch media were damning about PSV. The Algemeen Dagblad wrote: “PSV are currently conceding far too easily, even at home. PSV were outplayed by a Champions League debutant, and the result was abysmal, after a match in which the sense of helplessness only grew, and at one point everyone was pointing fingers at each other.”
Last season, Union won their first league title in 90 years to qualify for the Champions League and the Belgians will seek to build on their opening victory when they host Newcastle United at the Lotto Park in Anderlecht. As a heritage site, the Joseph Marien Stadium, Union’s home ground, doesn’t meet UEFA’s criteria to stage European club matches. PSV will travel to Bayer Leverkusen.
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