Twente Vs USG

FC Twente will be aiming to secure their first victory of the 2024-25 Europa League group stage when they welcome Union SG to De Grolsch Veste on Thursday for their fifth match of the competition. The Dutch side, who have endured a challenging campaign so far, will hope to break their winless run in the tournament, having accumulated just three points from their four previous matches. Their opponents, Union SG, are similarly struggling in the competition, sitting below FC Twente in the standings with only two points after four games.

Twente, who are 27th in the Europa League standings, come into this match after a dramatic 2-2 draw with OGC Nice on November 7. In a game full of intensity, both teams found themselves reduced to 10 men and scored all four goals in a thrilling final 30 minutes. Despite taking a 2-0 lead and having a man advantage for 20 minutes of the second half, FC Twente were unable to secure the win and were forced to settle for a draw. This result, although an improvement from their previous Europa League performances, was a bitter disappointment for the Eredivisie club, especially given the opportunity they had to take all three points.

FC Twente’s performance in this season’s Europa League has been characterized by inconsistency. The team has drawn three of their four games, with their only defeat coming at the hands of Lazio, who triumphed 2-0 over the Dutch side on October 24. This mixed form has left the team with a challenging task of qualifying for the knockout stages, but they still have a chance to progress if they can secure a victory in this upcoming match.

Domestically, FC Twente is currently in good form, sitting fifth in the Eredivisie table with 25 points from 13 matches. However, manager Joseph Oosting will likely be frustrated with his team’s performance compared to last season. FC Twente averaged just over 2 points per game in the previous campaign, but this season, they have fallen slightly short of that benchmark, with an average of just under 2 points per game. Oosting’s squad has demonstrated resilience, winning two, drawing two, and losing one of their last five matches in all competitions. Despite this positive run, their struggles in the Europa League remain a significant concern, with the team unable to secure a victory in any of their last 12 European outings. They have managed to draw nine of those games, but victories have remained elusive.

One area where FC Twente has found relative success is in their home performances. De Grolsch Veste has been a fortress for the team, with only two defeats in their last 19 home matches in all competitions. However, their recent home form has been less than perfect, as they have drawn five and lost one of their last nine fixtures on their own turf. Despite this, FC Twente will take confidence from their solid record at home as they look to push for a vital three points in their quest to qualify from their Europa League group.

On the other hand, Union SG comes into this match in a similarly precarious position in the Europa League. The Belgian club has managed just two points from their four matches and finds themselves in 30th place in the standings, trailing FC Twente by one point. Despite this, Union SG’s performance in their most recent Europa League match, a 1-1 draw with AS Roma, offered some signs of hope. In a contest where they were largely outmatched in terms of possession and attacking opportunities, the Belgian team showed resilience in limiting Roma to just one big chance. Union SG also created 14 shots, one of which was a major opportunity, and they were able to hold Roma to a draw despite the odds being against them.

Union SG’s domestic form has been less than impressive as well. They currently sit in ninth place in the Belgian Pro League, with 20 points from 15 games. Although they are still within reach of the top six and the final championship playoff spot, their form has been inconsistent at best. The team’s recent attacking struggles have been a key concern for manager Sébastien Pocognoli. Union SG has found the back of the net just once or not at all in eight of their last 10 matches, and they have failed to score in three of those games. Their inability to convert chances has been a major factor in their inability to climb higher in both the domestic league and Europa League.

Despite these issues, Pocognoli will take comfort from his side’s unbeaten run in their last five matches. Union SG has managed to avoid defeat in these fixtures, although they have only won one of those games, with three draws and one loss. In the Europa League, their form has been even more disappointing, with just one win, three losses, and one draw in their last seven European outings. This lack of consistency has left them with a tough challenge in the latter stages of the competition, as they need to pick up points on the road to stand any chance of advancing.

Away from home, Union SG has struggled significantly. The team has won just one of their last 12 away matches in all competitions, a run that includes five losses and six draws. This poor record on the road will undoubtedly be a source of concern for Pocognoli, as the Belgian side heads into this critical Europa League clash. However, if Union SG can improve their finishing and tighten up defensively, they may yet have a chance to salvage something from their European campaign.

The match at De Grolsch Veste will be crucial for both teams as they look to keep their Europa League hopes alive. FC Twente’s home advantage will be an important factor, but they must shake off the frustration of their recent results and produce a decisive performance. For Union SG, improving their attacking efficiency and finding a way to pick up points away from home will be essential if they are to have any hope of progressing to the knockout stages.

In terms of tactics, FC Twente will likely look to dominate possession and create chances from open play, using their home advantage to control the tempo of the game. However, they must be wary of Union SG’s counter-attacking threat and defensive solidity. Union SG, on the other hand, will likely focus on staying compact defensively and looking to capitalize on any set-piece opportunities or moments of weakness in the hosts’ defense. Both teams will be eager to secure a positive result, but only one will be able to leave with the three points that could prove crucial in their respective Europa League campaigns.

As both sides look to make a statement and revive their European hopes, the outcome of this encounter could be pivotal in shaping the remainder of their group-stage campaigns. With both teams struggling to find consistency, this match presents a pivotal moment for both FC Twente and Union SG to turn their fortunes around.