05 October 2023 , 06:00
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It has been quite the rise for Union Saint-Gilloise, who face arguably the toughest game in their 125-year history when they travel to Liverpool in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Union have been on an extraordinary journey since Brighton chairman Tony Bloom became a majority shareholder in the club back in May 2018, progressing from mediocrity in Belgium's second-tier to competing with European's elite. But it has not been an easy ride.
After three seasons of trying to get back to the promised land in Belgian football, Union finally secured their place in the Pro League, losing just two matches all season. Unfortunately for the Union fans, however, they were not able to celebrate their promotion in the stadium due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
That summer proved to be one of the most important in Union's recent history, as they tried to ensure their squad was ready to compete in the top-tier. However, what followed was something only Leicester can match in recent memory, as they shocked European football to win the Belgian First Division title in 2021/22. Denis Undav, who starred for Brighton last term, scored 25 goals for Union that season.
This saw Union qualify for the Champions League qualifiers, sending them into European football for the first time since 1964/65. Despite an early exit from Europe's elite club competition at the hands of Rangers, Union dropped into the Europa League, where they were drawn against Union Berlin, Braga and Malmo.
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Union won the group, collecting four victories from six matches, progressing into the last-16 in the process. But, the Belgian side would go back up against Union Berlin after they beat Ajax in a Europa League knockout round play-off. Union ended up booking their place in the quarter-final with a 6-3 aggregate win.
A last-eight tie against Bayer Leverkusen was to follow for Union, but this proved to be a step too far as they fell to a 5-2 aggregate defeat, bringing an end to their 2022/23 European journey. Domestically, Union continued their impressive league form from their title-winning season.
(Getty Images)However, Union were unable to win the title, having lost out to Royal Antwerp in dramatic circumstances. Toby Alderweireld's stoppage-time screamer took the crown away from Union, dropping them to third in the meantime which saw qualification for the Europa League play-offs.
Similarly to those in the Champions League the season prior, Union had to qualify to reach the group stages - and they did just that. Union beat Lugano 3-0 on aggregate to secure their place in the Europa League group phases for the second successive campaign.
After drawing Liverpool, the Union squad sparked into delight while on a flight, with Kevin Mac Allister, brother of Reds midfielder Alexis, ecstatic. Toulouse and LASK are also in the same group, but it's the trip to Anfield which has caught the attention for Alexander Blessin's side.
Union Saint-Gilloise beat Lugano over two legs in the Europa League play-off (Getty Images)Speaking after his side's match on the weekend, Blessin has revealed that the game has been on his mind - even during Sunday's win over Charleroi. He said, via Het Nieuwsblad : "The high temperature during this period of the year played tricks on us and we were sometimes a bit too lazy and too sleepy. Liverpool were already in our heads.
"It will be something different against fantastic players like [Ibrahima] Konaté and [Joel] Matip. Although, maybe Matip will score another own goal like this weekend. Then we have a chance. Why not?"
The Union boss also said it will be a dream for him to come up against Liverpool, two weeks after picking up a 1-1 draw in their opening Europa League group stage game. He added: "When I was still coach of Leipzig U19, we once played against Liverpool U19 in the preparation.
"We then visited Anfield and the museum. I sent a video to my wife of myself in the stadium, saying that it would be a dream to play there one day. Five years later the time has come. If it is so special for me, I can imagine it is the same for my players."
Off the pitch, Bloom has stepped down to a minority shareholder due to Brighton's involvement in European football this season, with Alex Muzio taking on the reigns as chairman and owner. In the league, Union have made an impressive start and sit top after nine matches.
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Among those in the squad is former Portsmouth defender Christian Burgess as well as Mac Allister's brother Kevin, who moved to Union in the summer. German ace Dennis Eckert is the club's top scorer this season on seven goals, while Union also pose several other threats across the pitch.