Failed To Win Against Union Berlin, Napoli Is Threatened

Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret blocks a shot by a Union Berlin player in the Champions League match. The score of the match was a draw 1-1. (Twitter @sscnapoli)

JAKARTA - Napoli failed to win when they hosted Union Berlin in the Champions League Group C match. In the duel at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Thursday, November 9 early morning WIB, Napoli took the lead before drawing 1-1 against Union Berlin.

A disappointing result for Napoli. Moreover, Napoli actually had a chance to win if Andre Zambo Anguissa's goal was not disallowed.

One additional point from that match did not change Napoli's position. They remain in second place with seven points. Meanwhile, the top position is occupied by Real Madrid who have nine points.

However, Napoli cannot be sure of qualifying for the round of 16 because they got one point.

The reason is that Braga, who is in third place, has three points. With two more matches remaining, Braga can still beat Napoli.

In that duel, Napoli was still without injured striker Victor Osimhen. Thus, Italian national team striker Giacomo Raspadori is again the first choice on the front line.

However, Napoli, who acted as hosts, were still able to show an offensive performance. They put pressure on Union Berlin's defenses.

Defender Natan, who also stepped up, launched an attack when Napoli received a dead ball, almost breaking into Union Berlin's goal in the 24th minute. However, his header from Kvicha Kvaratskhelia's corner did not produce results.

Only six minutes later, Napoli took the lead through Anguissa when he welcomed a pass from Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

However, after referee Danny Makkelie reviewed via VAR, it turned out that Di Lorenzo had committed a foul first on Jerome Roussillon. The referee did not approve the goal.

Failing to excel did not make Napoli players despair. They put pressure on their opponents again. As a result, Napoli finally really took the lead when Matteo Politano found the back of the Union Berlin goal in the 39th minute.

The goal came from Marco Rui's cross kick which hit Union Berlin midfielder Josip Juranovic. Politano then controlled the ball and without any difficulty fired a shot from close range. The score was 1-0 for Napoli and lasted until the end of the match.

Union Berlin tried to get back up in the second half. They took the initiative to attack. On the other hand, Napoi was a bit surprised by the offensive play of this German Bundesliga team.

As a result, when the match had only been running for seven minutes, The Partenopei's goal, which was guarded by Alex Meret, was conceded. The visitors' goal was scored by David Datro Fofana.

The goal came from a quick counterattack from the visiting team. Next, the ball was controlled by striker Sheraldo Becker who fired a shot towards the goal.

Meret can still block the ball. However, the rebound ball could not be thrown away by the Napoli defender. The ball fell at Fofana's feet who then kicked it into the goal.

The score changed 1-1. Napoli pressed again and created several opportunities. But they failed to convert it into a goal. The score does not change until the end of the match.