Union Berlin has ended its twelve-game losing streak. In Naples, the Berliners fought to a 1-1 draw and their first point in the Champions League. However, this does not prevent the early exit from the premier class.
A slight sigh of relief for the footballers of 1. FC Union Berlin: With a 1-1 draw (0-1) at SSC Naples, the Köpenick team ended their twelve-game losing streak and secured the first Champions League point in their club’s history. The decisive factor here was a goal from striker David Datro Fofana, who equalized the game shortly after the break after Naples had taken the lead through Matteo Politano. However, coach Urs Fischer’s team in Italy could not prevent the early, but overall unsurprising, exit from the premier class. However, the draw makes overwintering in the Europa League more realistic again.
“A passionate and good game”
“Very good” was the feeling after winning the first point since the end of August, said Union captain Christopher Trimmel on DAZN after the end of the game. Especially since this would have been fought for in a “naturally very difficult game” and “away in a cauldron”. “We accepted that and fought for over 90 minutes,” said Trimmel. He found approval in the words of defensive organizer Rani Khedira, who said: “We played a passionate and good game today and, in my opinion, deserved to take a point.”
The fact that this one point ended Köpenick’s long series of defeats meant “a lot” to him, added captain Trimmel and also explained why: “The longer a negative series lasts, the more self-confidence dwindles. You saw that and we felt it. ” As a result, their end could “hopefully give us energy for the next few weeks,” said Trimmel, “but I know football well enough and know that we have to continue to work really hard and improve in the league.”
Fischer surprises, Naples dominates
The first surprises were in store for Union coach Urs Fischer’s starting line-up in Naples: he left established regulars such as Robin Knoche, Robin Gosens and Christopher Trimmel on the bench and instead relied on Paul Jaeckel, Jerome Roussillon and the recovered Josip Juranovic. On the offensive, David Datro Fofana stormed again instead of Kevin Behrens alongside Sheraldo Becker. The latter had the first chance of the game after a good pass from Janik Haberer, but his shot from the diagonal right of the penalty area was missed by Naples goalkeeper Alex Meret (4th minute).
From Köpenick’s perspective, it was a hopeful start to a game that was then almost always played for one goal. Early on, Naples’ offense around exceptional player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia established itself in Union’s half and let the ball run there well and patiently. While the Berliners, who were deep but well staggered and compact, were initially able to prevent their hosts from fully developing their offensive, this changed after a quarter of an hour. First, goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow saved a shot from close range by Naples Piotr Zielinski (17th). Shortly afterwards, a header from central defender Natan hit the left post (24th).
Naples takes the lead, Union hits back
While numerous firecrackers thrown by the Napoli Ultras in the direction of the guest block filled with Union supporters repeatedly caused unpleasant scenes, Naples’ Frank Anguissa was celebrating on the pitch shortly afterwards. However, because teammate Giovanni Di Lorenza had leaned on Unions Roussillon as he headed in, referee Danny Makkelie took back Anguissa’s supposed 1-0 lead after a short video check (31′).
Ten minutes later, however, the hosts’ lead held: a cross from left-back Mario Rui was first deflected by Juranovic, then bounced into the chest of Naples’ Matteo Politano and finally into the goal, making it a bitter 0-1 from Union’s perspective. Because a free kick from 20 meters from Juranovic “only” hit the left post late in added time in the first half, this was also the half-time score.
At the start of the second half, the Berliners revealed a hint of what made them so strong in previous seasons. After a shot from the hosts that was blocked by Rousillon, Union countered it mercilessly. After a good pass from Fofana, Naples’ Meret was able to parry a shot from Becker before he had no chance when Fofana’s follow-up shot from ten meters. After 52 minutes the score was 1:1.
Union’s David Datro Fofana celebrates after scoring the 1-1 equalizer. | Image: IMAGO/Insidefoto
Trimmel checks Meret
It was a result that gave Union’s players new courage: they now stood higher and played more confidently, but faced a Naples team that also seemed more inspired than impressed. In the 69th minute, Union once again ran a strong counterattack via Sheraldo Becker and the left side, at the end of which the ball landed at captain Christopher Trimmel, who had now been substituted. The Austrian finished with a solid long-range shot, which was no problem for Naples goalkeeper Meret.
While the atmosphere in the stands was still characterized by intensity, it decreased somewhat on the pitch. Urs Fischer brought urgently needed new strength in Lucas Tousart and Alex Kral for Rani Khedira and Aissa Laidouni and thus stabilized his team’s game once again. However, an exuberant final offensive failed to ignite this, so in the end it remained a 1-1 draw.
The game in the live ticker
Broadcast: rbb24, November 8th, 2023, 6 p.m
