Union Saint-Gilloise faced a setback in their playoff opener against Genk, falling 1-0, and notably absent from the squad was striker Mohammed El Amine Amoura. Manager Alexander Blessin shed light on the situation, citing Amoura’s absence due to facial pain.
Despite being included in the squad, the 23-year-old forward was sidelined for Monday’s match against Genk due to discomfort in his face.
While the condition was not severe, Blessin opted to prioritize caution. “Of course, a bit of pace would have been beneficial, especially in the second half.
However, the risk was deemed too high,” Blessin explained. “He sustained a minor facial injury; the doctor assessed it by applying pressure, causing some discomfort.
But given that he hadn’t trained for five days, it was deemed prudent not to include him in the starting lineup.”
Amoura’s facial injury stemmed from an accidental collision during the Algeria-South Africa match on March 26, during the international break.
Looking ahead to Union Saint-Gilloise’s next fixture, Blessin expressed confidence in Amoura’s availability, emphasizing his significance to the team.
“I anticipate his return for the Cercle match,” Blessin stated, underscoring the striker’s pivotal role in the squad.
Throughout the season, Mohammed El Amine Amoura has been a key figure for Union Saint-Gilloise, demonstrating his prowess with 19 goals and 3 assists across all competitions.
His absence against Genk was felt, highlighting his importance to the team’s attacking prowess and overall performance.
As Union Saint-Gilloise navigates the playoffs, the return of Amoura is eagerly anticipated, with Blessin emphasizing the striker’s integral role in the team’s pursuit of success in the ongoing campaign.
