On the opening day of the Champions League, neighbouring champions faced as Eredivisie winners PSV hosted Jupiler Pro League holders Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The latter team were making their Champions League proper debut, having previously only made the qualifying stages, and it was a match to remember for the Brusselaar fans in Eindhoven.
Line-ups and form
PSV
Peter Bosz’s men make 2 changes to their thrilling 5-3 win against Nijmegen on Saturday. Matej Kovar remains in goal, while Dest and Odispo are joined by incomers Gasiorowski and Flamingo. Schouten steps forward from defense into midfield to join Veerman and Saibari, and the frontline is made up of Ivan Perišić, Ruben van Bommel and Pepi.
PSV have had a strong start to their campaign, winning four of their first five games in the league this season. They will be somewhat worried by their recent defensive record however, which has seen them concede seven goals in their last three games.
It’s about rising high together ⚡️#PSVUSG #UCL pic.twitter.com/irrMm5fAuq
— PSV (@PSV) September 16, 2025
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
The Belgian champions also make 2 changes from their victory against Dender, as Christian Burgess comes in at the back, and Kevin Rodriguez joins the attack. Scherpen keeps his place in goal, with Mac Allister (brother of Alexis) and Leysen rounding out the centre-backs. Niang and Khalaili play as wing backs around a midfield of Zorgane and Rasmussen, and David and Ait El Hadj round out the XI.
Sebastian Pocognoli’s men have started their season strongly, going unbeaten in their first seven league games, winning five and drawing two, and they have kept clean sheets in five of those matches.
Ready to set foot on Europe's biggest stage. 😤 #PSVSUG #UCL pic.twitter.com/PIQZLNNTe4
— Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (@UnionStGilloise) September 16, 2025
First half
Both teams started decently, with Saint-Gilloise crafting a decent shooting chance from a well worked free kick routine, which was blocked amid the crowd. Shortly after this, van Bommel manages to get to the byline down the left and plays the ball back to the on-running Saibari, who somehow manages to miss the goal, dragging his shot wide of the post. They would regret this missed chance, as just a few moments later, striker Pepi gave away a penalty, inadvertently kicking a Saint-Gilloise player as he attempted to clear the ball. It was perhaps a bit soft, but Canadian forward Promise David slotted the ball in to give the Belgian champions the lead. Another chance came the way of the visitors, as a nice bit of link-up play down the left lead to a shot from the edge of the box, forcing a great save from Kovar in the PSV goal. Just after this, PSV had a chance to equalise, as van Bommel countered down the left, cut in, and saw a powerful shot denied only by the crossbar. Rodriguez forced another save from Kovar with a header from close range. After a period of lull, Pepi would again be at the centre of a goal for his opponents, as he was dispossessed by Anouar Ait El Hadj, who drove through the centre of the PSV defence, skipping past a tackle and firing a shot past the keeper to double Union’s advantage. That would mark the final talking point of the first half, with the Champions League debutants deservedly leading, as PSV have failed to offer any threat aside from van Bommel’s individual runs down the left.
Quelle première mi-temps des Unionistes ! We blijven gaan! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/C18HgOFuHS
— Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (@UnionStGilloise) September 16, 2025
Second half
PSV made two changes at half time, bringing on Til and Salah-Eddine for Schouten and Odispo. Despite an early chance for Union, with Rodriguez forcing a good save with a curling effort, these substitutions had a positive impact. PSV dominated the first fifteen minutes, largely spurred on by Salah-Eddine, who drove powerfully through the centre of the pitch and weighted a perfect through-ball for Rodriguez, whose shot was weak and easily saved. Shortly after this, Til was played through and put the ball across the face of goal, but Saibari failed to turn what seemed a certain goal on target. Their pressure failed to lead to anything, however, and around the time they made their first substitution, replacing David with Marc Giger, Saint-Gilloise reestablished control in the fixture. Both teams made more subs, with PSV bringing Boadu and Wanner on for Pepi and Saibari and Union replacing El Hadj for Van De Perre. Boadu was subbed back off, presumably injured, and Dennis Man replaced him in the 80th minute. Immediately after this, Saint-Gilloise extended their advantage further, as from a corner Mac Allister kneed the ball in following a Rodriguez flick-on. The final substitution came, with Rodriguez replaced by Schoofs for Union, and the game mostly petered out from here. PSV found a consolation goal from van Bommel from a ball over the top, but the game would end 3-1 to the visitors.
Full-time.#PSVUSG #UCL pic.twitter.com/NnIJi0iivh
— PSV (@PSV) September 16, 2025
Man of the match
The game was one of units, not individuals, as PSV performed very poorly overall and Saint-Gilloise made them pay. Anouar Ait El Hadj was probably the stand-out, with his goal the one real piece of quality in the game, as well as being the crucial goal in terms of killing PSV’s motivation to stage a fightback. An honourable mention should be given to Christian Burgess, who was very good at the back during the periods that PSV tried to pin Union in.
Final thoughts
The Union fans will be ecstatic that their team made what was already a memorable evening, making their debut in Europe’s premier competition, into a jubilant victory over an experienced European side. For PSV, this will mark a major blow to their ambitions in the competition, as this was their home game from pot 4, theoretically their easiest match of the league phase.
Saint-Gilloise will now turn their attention to their major domestic fixture, as they continue on their travels to face Genk, who finished 3rd last season. In the Champions League, they will next play host to Newcastle United. For PSV, they also must turn to a title-influencing fixture, as they host Ajax on the weekend. In Europe, they will visit Bayer Leverkusen.
