Osimhen's absence felt as Napoli slip up against Union Berlin
FOOTBALL Osimhen's absence felt as Napoli slip up against Union Berlin

Osimhen's absence felt as Napoli slip up against Union Berlin

Faruq Ibrahim • 21:02 - 08.11.2023

Napoli's advancement from their Champions League group is now in doubt as they slipped up against Union Berlin.

Napoli failed to pick up maximum points against Union Berlin, despite taking the lead in their Champions League clash.

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The Partenopei failed to put a more assured feel towards qualifying for the next round of the Champions League as they were held to a draw by their German opposition at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Mateo Politano opened the scoring for Napoli in the 39th minute after a dominant half, but Napoli's lack of cutting edge was punished in the second half when David Datro Fofana equalised for Union Berlin in the 52nd minute.

How it happened

Rudi Garcia continues to be without talisman Victor Osimhen as he lined up his side to go up against Union Berlin.

They started encouragingly and thought they got the opener in the 32nd minute when Zambo Anguissa knocked the ball in from close range. The goal was, however, ruled out as Di Lorenzo, who provided the assist, was found to have committed a foul in the build-up.

They eventually took the lead seven minutes later, when Mateo Politano bundled the ball into the box after a whipped cross from Mario Rui. 

Juranovic came close to equalising for the visitors just before half-time from a free-kick, but the attempt missed by just, as it stuck the crossbar.

Union got their equaliser not long into the second-half from a sweeping counterattack that was brilliantly finished off by Chelsea loanee Fofana.

Napoli pressed for a winner, but the Germans held on, meaning the Partenopei had to settle for a point and now have to watch their backs in the group.

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Tags:
SSC Napoli Union Berlin Champions League