USG vs Atalanta

The Lotto Park in Brussels is the setting for a massive "survive or exit" clash tonight, Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Union Saint-Gilloise (USG) hosts Atalanta BC in the final round of the Champions League league phase. Kick-off is at 20:00 GMT (21:00 CET / 15:00 ET).

For USG, the goal is survival. Currently in 31st place (6 points), only a win will give the Belgian side a chance to sneak into the top 24 for the knockout playoffs. Atalanta, sitting in 13th place (13 points), has already secured a playoff spot but is hunting a Top 8 finish to bypass that round and head straight to the Round of 16.

Match Information

Union Saint-Gilloise: The Great Escape?

Under manager David Hubert, USG has been the definition of "inconsistent" in their debut Champions League campaign. While they lead the Belgian Pro League domestically, they have lost five of their seven European games, including a recent 2–0 defeat to Bayern Munich. To win tonight, they must fix a backline that has conceded 17 goals in the competition

Team News and Selection:

• Firepower Missing: The hosts are without their most reliable scorer, Promise David, who is suspended. Kevin Rodríguez is also sidelined with a back injury

• The "Young" Hope: Moroccan youth international Mohammed Fuseini is expected to lead the line in their absence

• Defensive Anchor: Veterans Christian Burgess and Kevin Mac Allister will need a career-best performance to stop the Italian attack.

• Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Scherpen; Mac Allister, Burgess, Sykes; Khalaili, Van De Perre, Zorgane, Niang; Ait El Hadj, Florucz; Fuseini.

Atalanta: La Dea’s Road Maturity

Raffaele Palladino’s Atalanta has been formidable on the road, winning their last two Champions League away trips without conceding a single goal. Despite a recent 3–2 home loss to Athletic Club, La Dea enters this match following a clinical 4–0 win over Parma in Serie A.

Team News and Selection:

• Full Strength (Almost): Atalanta is missing only Raoul Bellanova (hamstring).

• The Belgian Star: All eyes are on Charles De Ketelaere, the former Club Brugge star returning to his home country. He has been one of the tournament's top creators, second only to Kylian Mbappé in high-intensity chances created

• In-Form Scamacca: Gianluca Scamacca has scored in successive UCL games and has a habit of finding the net before the 20th minute.

• Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Djimsiti, Kolašinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Éderson, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Scamacca.

 Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• Historical First: This is the first-ever competitive meeting between these two clubs.

• Home vs. Away: USG has lost all three of its home league phase games so far, conceding 11 goals in the process.

• Second-Half Specialists: 9 out of 10 of Atalanta’s European goals this season have come in the second half.

• Midfield Battle: USG’s Kamiel Van de Perre is among the top foul-makers in the competition (13); he faces a disciplined Atalanta duo in De Roon and Éderson

Tactical Analysis and Prediction

USG is likely to start with high intensity, knowing that a draw is as good as a loss for them. They have scored 5 of their last 6 total goals before halftime. However, Atalanta is a master of patience. Palladino’s side is comfortable absorbing pressure and using the directness of Ademola Lookman and the creativity of De Ketelaere to stretch teams as they tire.

The lack of a clinical finisher like Promise David for USG could be the deciding factor. If Atalanta keeps a clean sheet through the first 30 minutes, their superior depth should see them dominate the latter stages.

Final Score Prediction: Union Saint-Gilloise 0–2 Atalanta