Union Saint‑Gilloise faces Real Sociedad, a budget giant against the Devils

As Union Saint‑Gilloise's schedule accelerates dramatically, the Belgian club is preparing to face Real Sociedad, a heavyweight of the Europa League, while attention remains focused on the next challenge of the Red Devils.

A compressed schedule

The derby against Leuven has just been confirmed and, from that moment, Union finds itself facing three matches in seven days. After three weeks without any official match for part of the core squad, the players must once again line up games, including Thursday's duel against Real Sociedad.

An opponent with colossal resources

On paper, the Brussels side are not favorites: the value of the Basque core exceeds €290 million, well more than double that of the Belgian host. Despite a philosophy that opposes the race to gigantism, Real Sociedad have a richly stocked squad, led by captain Mikel Oyarzabal.

Mikel Oyarzabal, who joined Real's Academy at 14, rose through the ranks without ever leaving the club. Today, he has scored 133 goals for Sociedad and 31 goals in 64 caps for the Spanish national team, including several at the World Cup where he started every match, including against the Red Devils.

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Another key figure in the Basque squad is Sergio Gomez, a Spanish full‑back who emerged at Anderlecht under Vincent Kompany, briefly played for Manchester City, then joined the Basque Country two years ago. He scored in the first Europa League match lost to Bournemouth.

Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, who fielded his strongest XI in the first match, needs points after the opening defeat. He is counting on the presence of Oyarzabal, Gomez and the other Basque leaders to try to turn the situation around.

In Belgium, the Red Devils are awaiting their next challenge, while Union Saint‑Gilloise hope to surprise a European football giant, backed by the club’s former Mauve.