Union St Gilloise's Champions League Dream: Will Key Defender Play?

By: Marcelo Colombo Published On: 16/09/2025

Sport Sport Sport Sport

Union St Gilloise are gearing up for their historic Champions League debut this week against PSV Eindhoven. It's a massive moment for the Belgian champions, marking a remarkable journey from second-tier football to the pinnacle of European competition.

However, their preparations have been hit with uncertainty surrounding the fitness of former Portsmouth defender and key player, Christian Burgess. Reports from HLN suggest Burgess is doubtful for the crucial clash. Coach Sébastien Pocognoli acknowledged the concern, stating, 'We’ll have to see how he reacts in the coming days. Christian is our captain and is very important to us. We’ll do our best to get him ready'.

Despite Burgess's intermittent appearances this season, Union St Gilloise have enjoyed a strong start to their title defence in the Belgian Pro League. They remain unbeaten in their opening seven games, although a late winner against Dender secured their latest victory.

Interestingly, PSV and Union St Gilloise have already crossed paths this season in a pre-season friendly, where the Eredivisie side emerged victorious. PSV have also had a solid start to their campaign, recording four wins and one defeat in their first five matches. Their only loss came as a surprise against newly promoted Telstar.

The availability of Burgess will undoubtedly be a significant factor in Union St Gilloise's chances against PSV. His leadership and defensive prowess are crucial to their success. Football fans across South Africa will be watching closely to see if he can recover in time for this momentous occasion.