Yearly soccer sees a fairytale story. Final season it was the Belgian aspect Royale Union Saint-Gilloise who received the common season. Their rise was the stuff goals are manufactured from, because the membership had solely been promoted to the highest league the 12 months earlier than after 49 years. Nevertheless, successful the league meant that the large boys began to smell round, and the primary man to go away was Felice Mazzu, their supervisor of two years, had masterminded their promotion and the common season win. So, in got here Karel Geraerts, a former Belgian worldwide who additionally performed for Membership Brugge and Normal Liege who had served as Union SG’s assistant supervisor for the final three years.
Any membership like Union SG, which witness such a dramatic rise, normally quicker within the subsequent season. The membership, although, was decided to make sure their consistency. And it’s right here that the unbelievable ways of Karel Geraerts have helped them launch one other for the title.
As of writing this text, Union SG are second within the common season league, three factors shy of Genk. As well as, they’re additionally within the quarter-finals of the Europa League, the place they may face German giants Bayer Leverkusen. So, who’s Karel Geraerts, and the way good is he?
Who’s Karel Geraerts
Karel Geraerts is a product of Membership Brugge, the place he performed for 4 years however may solely make a handful of appearances. He was then despatched on mortgage to Lokeren earlier than being offered to Normal Liege. Enjoying as a central midfielder, Geraerts impressed, scoring 5 targets and offering as many assists in 32 matches within the league. This earned him a call-up to the nationwide squad.
His type dropped the next season massively as he solely scored two targets and supplied two assists, however he got here again strongly the 12 months after with eight strikes and three assists to his identify.
This earned him a switch again to his earlier membership Membership Brugge the place he stayed for the following 4 years scoring 18 targets and offering 15 assists. Nevertheless, earlier than the beginning of the 2011-12 season, Geraerts was instructed that the membership had been prepared to maneuver past him.
And thus, he would be a part of Oud-Heverlee Leuven, a aspect which has simply received promotion to the league. His taking part in profession would go on for one more 5 years earlier than ending at Charleroi.
Following retirement, Geraerts instantly began his managerial profession. After serving as a sports activities coordinator for KV Oostende, he joined Union SG, the place he served as an assistant supervisor to Thomas Christiansen and Felice Mazzu earlier than getting the job earlier than the beginning of the 2022-23 season.
Union Saint-Gilloise have closed the hole on the high to a few factors
Their title problem has been pushed by shot volumes: they take essentially the most photographs within the league, and concede the fewest
In addition they lead the Professional League for photographs created following a Excessive Press (104)
5/9 pic.twitter.com/e36RLW42aG
— StatsBomb (@StatsBomb) March 22, 2023
Karel Geraerts ways and elegance of play
Since Geraerts has been on the membership for such a very long time, he determined to not alter an excessive amount of the ways of Felice Mazzu to make sure a easy transition to the brand new period. And with nearly all of gamers of the final season on the membership, the change has been easy.
Nevertheless, there have been adjustments, together with an emphasis on creating probabilities from the wings as effectively. This has given Union SG one other dimension and has made their assault stronger.
Utilizing central midfielders and wingbacks to create overloads, the group has managed to dominate the wings in addition to the within channels. Enjoying one-touch fast passes, they’ve managed to create a number of probabilities, with midfielder Teddy Teuma being the very best creating 9 targets.
One of many easy however efficient methods they’ve deployed is utilizing triangles and fast passing to make sure the opposition haven’t any probability to win the ball again.
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Enjoying with a three-man defence additionally has allowed the membership to be strong defensively as they’ll shortly alternate between a 5-3-2 and 3-5-2 formation, relying on the match scenario. Geraerts additionally stresses the significance of constructing from the again and utilizing lengthy balls, particularly down the wings. It is among the the explanation why centre-back Christian Burgess ranks because the third most correct lengthy ball passer within the league with a formidable 70 per cent accuracy.
One other weapon in Geraerts’ armour is the usage of intense counter-press to win the ball again. And Union SG have been fairly sensible at it. With three defenders taking part in on the again, the gamers above the pitch are extra assured of leaving their positions, stepping ahead to Gegenpress and squeezing down the opposition’s discipline of play.
Congratulations @karel_geraerts on successful the Raymond Goethals Trophy! Sustain the great work! 🏆🔥 #SportPlus pic.twitter.com/wutWgS5ur7
— SportPlus (@SportPlusFM) March 27, 2023
Karel Geraerts Union SG evaluation
Quite than counting on a person, Union SG have a number of goalscorers to their identify. Their top-scorer is Dante Venzier, who scored ten targets however left the membership in January to hitch MLS aspect New York Pink Bulls. Nevertheless, in his absence, the sensible Simon Adingra has taken over.
Whereas Union SG had a season to recollect final season, what they’ve managed to do within the present one is an even bigger achievement. It’s as a result of soccer sees many fairy tales, however just a few can maintain their momentum the next season, which makes Union SG such a well-run membership.
Not solely have the membership managed to do effectively within the league, however they’ve additionally managed to go on a dream run within the Europa League, which exhibits that their gamers and ways are on a degree the place they’ll compete with groups which might be much better geared up than them.
And it has been Karel Geraerts who has ensured that the membership continues their momentum and change into not solely a pressure to reckon with in Belgium but additionally throughout Europe,
