Nigerian forward Victor Boniface and his Royal Union Saint-Gilloise team are on the brink of breaking another record in the UEL but Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen are still a problem they must solve.
For the first time in their history, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, also referred to as Union SG, made it beyond the round of 16 in the Europa League.
Union SG thrashed German side Union Berlin 6-3 on aggregate, with their Nigerian superstar Boniface playing a key role in that round to help them progress to the quarterfinal.
Their reward for making it to the last eight with ease was a clash with another Bundesliga side, Bayer Leverkusen, managed by Liverpool and Real Madrid legend, Xabi Alonso.
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22:22 - 13.04.2023
Boniface on target but Bayer Leverkusen survive USG
Mr Europa League Victor Boniface was on target again in Europe but his goal was not enough for Union St. Gilloise at Bayer Leverkusen.
However, after 90 minutes, both sides are tied at 1-1 following the first leg in the BayArena in Germany last week.
Sensational youngster, Florian Writz was the hero for Bayer as his stunning effort cancelled out Boniface’s opener for Union SG.
How Union SG can progress
While Writz was the hero the last time, Union SG will go into the second leg later tonight full of confidence that they can shock the more illustrious Leverkusen and their famous coach, Alonso.
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20:50 - 19.03.2023
BUNDESLIGA Palacios punishes Bayern Munich as Leverkusen blow title race wide open
Bayern Munich conceded two second-half penalties, and now remain second in the Bundesliga standings
Les Unionstes have every reason to believe that they can upset Bayer en route to a first-ever semifinal appearance in European football since 1960.
But the key question is, can they? Here are a few reasons why the modest Belgians can end the dream of another Bundesliga side in the UEL.
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Boniface magic
All eyes will be on the sensational 22-year-old Nigerian Super Eagles hopeful who has been outstanding this season for Union SG.
16:47 - 19.04.2023
UEL: Injured Manchester United stars named in squad for Sevilla
Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Marcel Sabitzer are back in the team for the UEFA Europa League, UEL, trip to Sevilla.
Alonso and his Leverkusen side do not need to be told who Boniface is after his performance against Union Berlin in the previous round and against the Werkself in the first leg.
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Heading into the decider tonight, no player has scored more goals in the Europa League this season than Boniface.
He has netted six goals in just eight starts for the Belgians and will be one player the Germans must pay particular attention to.
In all competitions, the talented forward has scored 20 goals and assisted nine more for Union.
Union SG’s form
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10:39 - 08.04.2023
Gent vs Union St. Gilloise: Nigerian duo Orban, Boniface in titanic clash - predictions, odds
Two teams with identical form go head-to-head in the Belgian Jupiler this evening featuring two sensational Nigerians in Gift Orban and Victor Boniface.
Les Unionstes will welcome Leverkusen with high hopes of making it to the last four in front of their home fans.
This hope is built on the foundation of their form as the Royals will head into this game in superb shape.
They are unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions and are a side known to score goals, having averaged two goals per game in the UEL.
Prediction
This particular game is still open, at least on paper and both sides have equal chances of taking this tie.
With both teams unbeaten in the last five matches coming into this one, i expect an end-to-end encounter between two motivated sides who will go all out to try to win the game.
But I think the home side might just edge it tonight after hitting three goals the last time out at home.
So, Union SG to progress with a 2-1 result.
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13:32 - 17.03.2023
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