Union Saint-Gilloise scouted: Rangers' 'Bealeball' opponents with touchline defenders

With that being said, last season’s 4-2 aggregate defeat against Malmo remains fresh in the memory. Union Saint-Gilloise were the lesser known draw for this season's competition, compared to potential ties with Monaco, Sturm Graz and Midtjylland, but that’s not to say they represent the most favourable tie.

Owned by Brighton’s Tony Bloom, Union came second in Belgium’s Championship Round play-off last season having topped the 34-game league campaign. 

The Rangers Review watched their opening game of the Belgium league season against STVV, to provide an overview of their style of play, qualities and weaknesses.

How do they want to attack?

Union play a 3-5-2 system with flexible wing-backs, who can sit on the last line and act as wingers or fall back into shape and form a back five.

Broadly speaking, they use ball-playing centre-backs to stretch the play and create wide overloads in possession. With a strike force that can run the channels, wing-backs who act aggressively and a midfield contingent that fulfils numerous functions.

Karel Geraerts's side regularly attempt to overload the last line of the opposition defence, which allows them to attack space quickly in transition, or create wide overloads and attack the box with numbers when in possession. 

In the below example taken Union have the ball in defence. Note the high positioning of both wing-backs, strike partnership and extremely wide centre-backs. 

By playing so wide, the centre-backs can break beyond the first line of pressure and stretch play.

When tasked with breaking down an opponent, Union progress the ball down either flank. Using a wide centre-back, wing-back, forward and midfielder to do so.

In the below example, they switch play quickly to the right after a spell of possession on the left. Centre-forward Dante Vanzier occupies the SSVV centre-back and right wing-back Bart Nieuwkoop and the SSVV left-wing back, this allows Teddy Teamu to make a seam run and attempt a cross, with four men attacking the box.

They regularly overloaded either flank, moving a midfielder wide to stretch the pitch and go around the opposition and get good numbers in the box.

Here, the team’s left centre-back, left centre-mid and left wing-back are all wide and occupying the free space, waiting for a switch of play.

As demonstrated by the side’s crossing map from pre-season and the season opener against SSVV, they’re reluctant to deliver from deep. 

When attacking in transition, the pace of Vanzier and Simon Adingra in particular comes into focus.

Here, having defended a three-v-three, Union have both wing-backs on the last line along with their strike duo and one midfielder.

Adingra, more of a winger than wing-back, is excellent one-v-one and goes close with a shot having beaten his man.

While, as will be covered, the Belgian side can retreat into a defensive block and play against the ball, they’re equally content matching up man-for-man at centre-back and keeping their wing-backs high.

In this example, with four players on the last line stretching the defence, Union can launch a quick attack. This time a direct pass finds the curved run of Vanzeir who uses his pace to get in behind before an eventual shot is blocked.

Again in this example, they attack with their wing-backs on the last line and forwards occupying the centre-backs.

Adingra is high and after receiving a pass, floats a cross to the back post with plenty of bodies primed to attack.

Later in the game, he goes all the way on his own to equalise, starting his run here…

…And ending it with a goal here, having beaten four players in the process.

In possession, Union can attack with control, stretching the pitch extremely wide, creating overloads on either wing with flexible positioning and attack the box with numbers. 

In transition, they possess the front line pace to expose space behind a defence. Adringa is a real threat when attacking open ground and the strike force seek to move vertically, hitting space behind the full-backs.

How do they defend?

Union can rely on a strong defensive shape that focuses on keeping the centre of the pitch compact and closed. 

They often stop the ball from being played through the midfield pivot and instead force possession around the team shape.

Against SSVV, Union were facing a back five. Their wing-backs marked opposing wing-backs, while a midfielder shuttled out to close down the ball carrier.

Content leaving the ball-far side wing-back unmarked, Union condense space around the ball, forces opponents wide and pressing by the touchline.

Even when the wing-backs fall deep into shape as shown above, Union keep their strike force high, ready to attack space behind the opposition.

The principles are reminiscent of Michael Beale and Steven Gerrard’s compact 4-3-3 shape which also focused on protecting the centre of the pitch, keeping attackers high and sacrificing wide areas.

Beale explains: “It makes sense to block the middle of the pitch because your goal is in the middle, it makes sense to keep the play in front and outside of you and then to press from in to out.”

However, the goal Union conceded on the opening weekend of the Belgium Pro League derived from space they themselves vacated down the side of their defence.

Adingra, as highlighted above more of a winger than full-back, is slow moving up to pressurise his man, offering SSVV a forward passing option and allowing them to trigger an attack.

Now in the final third, a quick combination allows SSVV to exploit the space Adingra has vacated, before an excellent cross is converted.

The crossing area Union concede from is deep by the touchline and the goal owes to excellent movement and poor defending in the penalty box as much as anything. Nonetheless, Union can clearly be attacked by the method they themselves favour, using wide overloads.

How will Giovanni van Bronckhorst approach the game?

Having established how Union attacked and defended in their season opener, how will van Bronckhorst approach the game?

We know he’ll likely opt for a man-orientated approach in Belgium. Although we have seen the Dutchman opt for different strategies, such as a low block away against RB Leipzig…

…A hybrid approach when playing in Dortmund…

The most obvious set-up will see John Lundstram play as a hybrid centre-back, capable of forming a back five at different points in-game. 

Union finished second in Belgium for a reason. They're a well-coached side capable of performing devastating transitions and breaking down opponents. 

Rangers will back themselves to secure a win, but must remain vigilant to the threats today's opponents will pose in Belgium.