Naples fans cause a scandal
Union Berlin staggers to a historic draw
November 8, 2023, 8:48 p.m
Union Berlin’s unbelievable series of defeats ends with an entry in the history books: The Iron Men don’t win at SSC Napoli, but they do get a point in the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. The result is quite happy.
1. FC Union Berlin stopped its series of defeats after twelve defeats with a lot of fight and football skills in the venerable Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. With a 1-1 (0-1) draw at the Italian champions SSC Napoli, the Iron team secured their first point in the Champions League and even had the chance to spend the winter in international business. After Matteo Politano took the lead in the 39th minute, the recently suspended David Fofana equalized in the 52nd minute.
In Group C, the Berliners remain last with one point and can no longer overtake the second team from Naples (seven points) because the direct comparison is in favor of the Italians. The CL journey will end after the preliminary round, but the chances of relegation to the Europa League are still intact. After being eliminated from the DFB Cup and slipping into the relegation battle of the Bundesliga, the Köpenickers are now hoping for the turning point of a messed up season. Next Sunday, leaders Bayer Leverkusen will face the right test in the championship. In the master class, the crucial games for Union will be at SC Braga and at home against Real Madrid.
In Naples, coach Urs Fischer predicted before kick-off: “The first 10 or 15 minutes are very important.” And so the Swiss team acted with sober craftsmanship in the stadium where namesake Diego Armando Maradona once enchanted fans with his football art. In any case, the Iron Men survived the opening quarter of an hour and even had the first chance of the game through Sheraldo Becker (4th).
Firecrackers cause irritation
Firecrackers caused irritation during this phase. According to police reports, there were riots by Union supporters and fellow Borussia Mönchengladbach fans in the evening and night before the game. According to the information, eleven Germans were arrested. The security measures for the game were then increased again. But it achieved little. There was a scandal in the stadium. The hosts’ fans caused unpleasant pictures in a heated atmosphere. During the first half they threw firecrackers and flares several times towards the Union block. On the pitch, in front of 47,108 spectators, the Berlin professionals continued to try not to let anything unsettle them. But things became more difficult and the moments of relief due to the simple style of play were rather rare.
Goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow parried a shot from Piotr Zielinski from close range, then the post saved Union from falling behind when the advanced Brazilian Natan got a header. After almost half an hour, the ball fidgeted in the net of the Berlin goal. But André Zambo Anguissa’s goal was disallowed via video evidence; preparer and captain Giovanni di Lorenzo had previously brazenly braced himself for a header. But before the break the score was 0-1. Once again the Union defense didn’t seem secure, Juranovic deflected a cross from the side so that the ball hit Politano in the chest and from there into the goal. And as unfortunate as the goal was, Juranovic was just as unlucky when he hit the post with a free kick in stoppage time in the first half.
A little bit of Union like before
Even after the break, there was initially little change in ball possession. Only one thing was suddenly different: Union cheered. After an escape from his own penalty area, it went to Becker, whose shot was parried by SSC keeper Alex Meret with one hand – but in such a way that the ball landed at Fofana. The attacker, who was recently suspended after refusing a handshake, didn’t hesitate for long and scored the equalizer. It was Union’s first goal in over a month.
And suddenly Union looked like the team from the better days. Substitute Christopher Trimmel tested Meret with a long-range shot. But nothing more was possible. Napoli took control again and increased the pressure. Rönnow saved the draw in the end.