Prior to this evening’s game against Napoli, Union Berlin had lost their last ten games and were without a goal in the last thirty-two days.
Napoli, missing their key player Victor Osimhen due to injury, played to a draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, Soccernet.ng reports.
Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles forward, has been sidelined from Gli Azzuri after suffering an injury during the previous international break with the Nigerian national team. His expected return is set for mid-November, and in his absence, Giacomo Raspadori has been a regular presence in Napoli’s attack under the management of Rudi Garcia.
In the previous away fixture, Raspadori scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory for last season’s Serie A champions.
Union Berlin entered this match following a 3-0 loss to Frankfurt over the weekend, marking their twelfth consecutive loss.
Zambo Anguissa initially appeared to open the scoring for the home team after a splendid play involving Mario Rui and Giovanni Di Lorenzo around the half-hour mark. However, the goal was disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee due to a foul in the box.
The opening goal came nine minutes later as Politano passed the ball to Kvara, who set up Mario Rui. The fullback delivered a low cross into the box, and Politano tapped it in, giving Napoli a one-goal lead.
GOOOOOAL! 🎯
Matteoooo POLITANO!! 💪#UCL | #NapoliUnion 1-0 pic.twitter.com/o1dTZ1BjUo— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) November 8, 2023
Seven minutes into the second half, Union scored their first goal in thirty-two days. Politano’s shot was blocked by Jerome Rousillon, who launched the ball to David-Datro Fofana.
The Chelsea loanee played the ball to Sheraldo Becker, who took a shot that was parried by Meret. Fofana was in the right place to capitalize on the rebound, adding the finishing touch to a beautiful counter-attack by Urs Fischer’s side.
Although Garcia’s team dominated possession with 73% and had twenty-seven shots on goal, Union Berlin held on to secure their first point since September.
https://twitter.com/sscnapoli/status/1722340263190782349?t=0_Sa1iF7TBjGrbJ5Qz5c7A&s=19
Napoli’s draw keeps them in second place in their group, just behind Real Madrid, while Braga and Union face an uphill battle to secure qualification spots.
