Before tonight’s game against Napoli, Union Berlin had lost their last 10 games and had not scored in the past 32 days.
Napoli were without key player Victor Osimhen due to injury, and the team drew at Napoli’s Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Soccernet.ng reported.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been sidelined by Gri Azzurri due to an injury sustained during his last international break with the Nigeria national team. He is expected to return in mid-November, and during his absence Giacomo Raspadori has been a regular in Napoli’s attacking line under manager Rudi Garcia.
In the last away game, Raspadori scored the winning goal as last season’s Serie A champions won 1-0.
Union Berlin entered this match after losing 3-0 to Frankfurt at the weekend, ending their 12th consecutive defeat.
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 first goal came nine minutes later, when Politano passed the ball to Kuvara, who set up Mario Rui. The full-back put a low cross into the box and Politano pushed it home, giving Napoli a one-goal lead.
GOOOOOAL! 🎯
Matteoooo POLITANO!! 💪#UCL | #NapoliUnion 1-0 pic.twitter.com/o1dTZ1BjUo– SSC Napoli Official (@sscnapoli) 8. November 2023
Seven minutes into the second half, Union scored their first goal in 32 days. Politano’s shot was blocked by Jérôme Roussillon, who passed the ball to David-Datro Fofana.
The Chelsea loanee passed the ball to Sherald Becker, who fired a shot that was deflected away by Meret. Fofana was in the perfect position to take advantage of the rebound and put the finishing touch on a great counterattack by Urs Fischer’s team.
García’s side dominated with 73% of possession and had 27 shots on goal, but Union Berlin picked up their first point since September.
⏹️ Full time: #NapoliUnion 1-1#UCL
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/i313uDf2ik– SSC Napoli Official (@sscnapoli) 8. November 2023
The draw leaves Napoli second in the group behind Real Madrid, with Braga and Union facing a tough battle for qualification.
