23 Jul From Second Division To Belgian Champions: How Data Helped Usg Rewrite Football History
Union Saint-Gilloise are Belgian champions once again: 90 years after their last league title.
An unforgettable night at home against Gent sealed a dream season, with late goals, tactical substitutions, and a pitch invasion that echoed a century of history. A club that once ruled Belgian football in black-and-white photos has now returned to the top, smiling, dominant, and modern!
But this wasn’t just a story of grit and momentum. It was a journey built on method, insight, and intelligence.
Behind USG’s rise stands a strong commitment to innovation and tools like SportAnalytics, which have helped the team prepare, adapt, and evolve in one of Europe’s most demanding formats.
We spoke with Marc Delcourt, Head of Analysis at USG, about how video, data, and tactical insights shaped this historic campaign.
Game Prep in the Details: The Analyst’s Role Behind the Scenes
At USG, game prep is a highly integrated process, says Delcourt:
"The analysts are involved in all aspects of preparation. From opposition scouting to training footage to match-day reports—we are there to give the staff and players the clearest possible picture."
Marc Delcourt and his colleague Thomas Benson select key matches from opponents, break down their phases of play, and build reports aligned with the team’s philosophy.
“Our goal is to highlight what can be exploited and what we need to be careful about—always based on how we play, not just how they play.”
In the intense, high-stakes format of the Belgian playoffs, this precision made a difference. Every match mattered. Every adjustment counted.
Playing Every Three Days: When Time is a Resource
“The biggest challenge is time,” Delcourt explains. “In Europe, and especially during playoff season, you are playing every three days. You need to analyze opponents quickly, efficiently, and with total accuracy.”
Before using SportAnalytics, that meant juggling raw data, video clips, and scattered platforms. It was chaotic and time-consuming.
SportAnalytics changed that for us. It centralizes our workflows and lets us focus on the football. We now have metrics, video, and visuals all in one place—linked together.”
The result?
Better prep, faster decisions, and a team that’s always tactically ready—whether it’s Gent, Bruges, or Bayer Leverkusen.
Turning Insights into Decisions
“We don’t just look at data, but we act on it” says Delcourt. “One of our key strategies in Europe was to force opponents into zones where they struggle, based on performance metrics. That came directly from what we saw on the platform.”
The analysts’ reports didn’t just influence team talks. They helped shape match strategies—highlighting trends, weaknesses, and patterns in both opponents and USG’s own performances.
“We evaluate ourselves, too. We’ve defined custom KPIs that reflect our style of play and values as a team. SportAnalytics helps us measure those across the whole season.”
This feedback loop—analyze, adjust, execute—became a silent weapon in USG’s title charge.
The Power of Tracking Data
Tracking data added a new layer of depth to USG’s analysis.
“Formations aren’t enough anymore,” says Delcourt. “Every team behaves differently with and without the ball. With SportAnalytics, we can understand a team’s true shape in each phase.”
The platform allowed USG to detect positioning trends, transitions, pressure strategies, and more. Even without a dedicated data science department, the coaching staff gained access to insights previously reserved for Europe’s biggest clubs.
“It’s like having another analyst on your team—one that works 24/7 and doesn’t miss a thing.”
Next Stop: The Champions League
Winning the Jupiler Pro League is more than a trophy: it’s a ticket to Europe’s biggest stage.
“We’re entering the Champions League now, and preparation will be even more critical” Delcourt says. “More unknown opponents, less time, higher stakes. But we’re ready.”
He believes the future of football analysis is moving toward specialized departments, with roles dedicated to set-pieces, pressing phases, transitions, and more—similar to American football.
And USG? They are already on that path.
Data as a Competitive Edge
Union Saint-Gilloise’s return to the top isn’t just a romantic story—it’s a case study in modern football intelligence.
With smart ownership, a strong football identity, and the right tools, the club has gone from promotion to cup winners, Supercup winners, and now Belgian champions…
all in just a few years.
This is what happens when tradition meets technology.
This is what happens when football is led by insight.
This is what happens when data drives belief.
It’s not just the Union that smiles: it is the future of football.