David Hubert voiced mixed feelings after Union Saint-Gilloise secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Beveren at the Freethiel Stadion on Saturday evening, October 31, 2026, admitting he was satisfied with the team’s fighting spirit but not with their overall performance, DHnet reported.

The narrow win brought Union within a single point of league leaders Club Brugge, keeping the pressure on at the top of the Jupiler Pro League table. Yet the underlying display left the coaching staff searching for answers ahead of their upcoming European schedule.

Tactical adjustments and a sluggish first half

In his starting lineup, Hubert introduced a notable tactical setup, deploying a somewhat experimental 3-4-3 formation that included a rare start for Ecuadorian striker Kevin Rodriguez, his second league appearance from the opening whistle this season, according to Sudinfo. Rather than recalling Ross Sykes—who recently returned from a shoulder operation in August—Hubert kept Nohim Chibani on the right side of his defensive line.

The formation struggled for rhythm during the opening 45 minutes. As Sudinfo reported, Union labored through the first half and relied heavily on goalkeeper Hervé Koffi, who produced three crucial saves to deny attempts from Boone in the 11th minute, Victor Olatunji in the 22nd minute, and Conde in the 27th minute.

Late first-half breakthrough and Aquino’s quick red card

Despite being second best for much of the half, Union capitalized on a defensive scramble just before the interval. Louis Patris reacted quickest to a loose ball in a crowded penalty area to slot home his second goal of the campaign, following an assist credited to Besfort Zeneli, as detailed by Sudinfo.

Seeking fresh energy after the restart, Hubert replaced Rodriguez with Dylan Aquino at halftime. That tactical switch unravelled within eight minutes when Aquino received a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Elohim Kabore, leaving the visitors down to ten men for the final half-hour.

Immediate response and defensive resilience under pressure

Playing a man down did not deter Union from extending their advantage. Guilherme Smith struck shortly after Aquino’s dismissal to double the lead, catching the home defense flat-footed.

Beveren responded in the 60th minute when Arno Verschueren pulled a goal back to make it 2-1. The goal sparked protests from the Union bench, with players and staff arguing that Olatunji had fouled Nikki Havenaar by stepping on his foot during the buildup, though referee Bert Put allowed the goal to stand despite VAR consultation, according to Sudinfo.

Despite facing an expected onslaught from the hosts in the closing stages, Union’s defensive block held firm.

Focus shifts to European competition

With domestic duties successfully navigated, Union Saint-Gilloise turns its attention to continental competition. The squad travels to face Celta Vigo in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, where a positive result would significantly boost their chances of advancing to the next round.