Union Saint-Gilloise dropped three important points in the title race against RFC Seraing, who are now only four points behind them in the league. After just twelve minutes Union’s goalkeeper Anthony Moris made a huge error, which allowed Seraing midfielder Bernier to score the only goal of the game. Union dominated possession in the second half, but really struggled to create good chances only getting two shots on target the entire game.
Ratings:
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average in this match
Loïc Lapoussin
Player profile:
- Nationality: Malagasy/French
- Age: 24
- Date of birth: 27/03/1996
- Current club: Union Saint-Gilloise
- Career: US Créteil-Lusitanos B, Red Star FC, Royal Excelsior Virton, Union Saint-Gilloise
- Position: Left Wing
- Secondary position: Attacking Midfield, Right Wing
- Preferred foot: Right
Loïc Lapoussin is arguably one of the better players of the 1B Pro League and showed glimpses of his class in the match against RFC Seraing. Lapoussin played as the left midfielder in Union’s 3-5-2, but seemed to have a little more attacking freedom than Jordanov who played as the right midfielder. Later on in the match Union’s manager Felice Mazzù made some attacking substitutions which resulted in Lapoussin playing as a central midfielder.
Technically Lapoussin really stands out. The winger seemed to have great ball control and did very well in the small spaces on the left. The Malagasy international often dropped back a little to pick up the ball and then looked for short combinations with his teammates. After playing the ball he often made good runs to receive the ball again. He didn’t seem to have the highest top speed, but was quite explosive on the first few meters which he combined well with his agility to take on his opponents.
His dribbling overall was quite good as he was quite unpredictable on the left side, dribbling well with both feet, but he also made some sloppy mistakes losing the ball. In the final third Lapoussin took quite some risks, which didn’t always work out, but also created some dangerous moments in front of Seraing’s goal. He put in a couple of good crosses in with his right foot after cutting inside, but also with the outside of he right foot after beating his opponent around the outside.
As the left midfielder Lapoussin had to cover a lot of ground tracking back as well. He worked very hard defensively with some mixed results. It is clear that he isn’t a defender as he positioned himself quite poorly and needed a lot of fouls this game after some poorly timed tackles. He put a lot of intensity in his duels however and tracked back very well every time.
Rating – A1
Lapoussin is a great playmaker on the left and I think he could do well for some of the weaker sides in the Jupiler Pro League. He was one of the few players creating something for Union Saint-Gilloise this game, but was often quite unlucky.
Dante Vanzeir
Player profile:
- Nationality: Belgian
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 16/04/1998
- Current club: Union Saint-Gilloise
- Career: KRC Genk, K. Beerschot V.A. (L), KV Mechelen (L), Union Saint-Gilloise
- Position: Striker
- Secondary position: Right Wing
- Preferred foot: Right
With eleven goals in twelve matches Dante Vanzeir is probably in the best form of his life. Against RFC Seraing he had a very difficult game as his side struggled to get the ball in the box and create chances. Vanzeir only had one major chance to score this game, but didn’t convert it. In the 7th minute he made a great run behind Seraing’s defense, just beating offside, however his shot with his weaker left foot was easily saved. Vanzeir made a couple of these smart runs in behind Seraing’s defenders, but wasn’t always spotted by his teammates or just didn’t get the ball.
All in all Vanzeir was just not involved enough in this game. RFC Seraing played a very low defensive line and Union struggled to break it down. The 22-year old striker was moving a lot to the wings or trying to drop back and when he got the ball he did well. He used his body well to hold off his opponents. Vanzeir showed that he has great technique and kept possession well for his side when he got the ball.
Rating – B1
Based on this match I can’t give Vanzeir a higher rating than a B1, but he has proven that he can be a good striker in the Jupiler Pro League. Hopefully he can show this next season for Union or after he makes a move to a bigger club.
Alex Cochrane
Player profile:
- Nationality: English
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 21/04/2000
- Current club: Union Saint-Gilloise, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion
- Career: Brighton & Hove Albion (Y), East Grinstead Town FC (L), Union Saint-Gilloise (L)
- Position: Left Back
- Secondary position: Centre Midfield
- Preferred foot: Left
Alex Cochrane started for the first time for Union Saint-Gilloise and played a very solid game. The 20 year old defender played as the left sided centre back in Union’s three-man defence, but also had the attacking freedom to move forward as a left back. Standing at 5’9” Cochrane may be a little small to play as a centre back in a four-man defence, but in Union’s 3-5-2 it wasn’t a big problem. He seemed to have quite some pace as well, but never really had to show it. Cochrane looked vulnerable in the air, but did very well in his ground duels, defending very patient in 1v1 duels. He also stepped out of the backline to win the ball a little bit higher on his own half a couple of times.
In possession Cochrane played a lot of forward passes. He has a decent passing range and played some dangerous passes down the line. Twenty out of the 50 passes he played this game were forward passes. Cochrane seemed quite composed on the ball, but struggled a few times with his decision making when he was under pressure. Going forward he didn’t offer too much. His technique is good for a defender but struggled to get past his opponent in the final third. He put in a couple of crosses with mixed success.
Rating – B1
Defensively Cochrane certainly passed the test against RFC Seraing, but I still have some doubts about his offensive qualities.
Target Scouting 