Benfica with no chance of reaching the round of 16
1. FC Union Berlin stopped its series of defeats after twelve bankruptcies in the venerable Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with a lot of fight and football craftsmanship. With a 1-1 (0-1) draw at the Italian champions SSC Napoli, the “Iron” 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 Datro Fofana equalized in the 52nd minute on Wednesday evening.
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 so far 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 had predicted before kick-off: “The first 10 or 15 minutes are very important.” And so the 57-year-old Swiss’s team acted in the stadium where namesake Diego Armando Maradona once enchanted the fans with his art , with sober craftsmanship. In any case, the “Irons” survived the opening quarter of an hour and even had the first chance of the game through Sheraldo Becker (4th).
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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. During the game, firecrackers were thrown by Napoli fans into the block of around 2,500 Union fans who had arrived.
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. However, Frank Anguissa’s goal was disallowed via video evidence; preparer and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo had brazenly braced himself for a header.
But before the break the score was 0-1. Once again the Union defense didn’t seem secure, Josip Juranovic deflected a cross from the side so that the ball bounced into Politano’s 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.
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, Rönnow saved the draw in the end.
No more chance of reaching the round of 16: debacle for Schmidt and Benfica
Coach Roger Schmidt and Benfica Lisbon no longer have a chance of making it to the knockout round of the Champions League after a desolate performance. The Portuguese champions also lost their fourth group game 1:3 (0:3) at Real Sociedad San Sebastián. Former Dortmund player Mikel Merino (6th minute), Mikel Oyarzabal (11th) and Ander Barrenetxea (21st) made the decision before the break.
During their puzzling appearance, Benfica was even lucky not to fall further behind because Brais Méndez (29′) shot a penalty kick onto the post. After the break, Schmidt’s team at least improved a bit. Rafa (49th) managed to score quickly, but it wasn’t enough for the quarter-finalists from last season. Rafa’s goal was the first for Benfica in this premier class season.
After four games, Benfica still has zero points and no chance of securing one of the top two places in Group D. The pressure on Schmidt continues to increase ahead of the landmark derby against league leaders Sporting Lisbon on Sunday.
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