End of the losing streak: Union fight for a draw in Naples
1. FC Union Berlin put an end to their losing streak of twelve defeats at the venerable Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with a lot of fighting and soccer craftsmanship.
With a 1:1 (0:1) draw at Italian champions SSC Napoli, the Ironmen secured their first point in the Champions League and even kept their chances of a winter in international business alive. After Matteo Politano took the lead in the 39th minute, the recently suspended David Fofana equalized in the 52nd minute.
After being knocked out of the DFB Cup and slipping into the relegation battle in the Bundesliga, the Köpenickers should now be hoping for a turning point in a season that has been a mess so far. Next Sunday, they face a fitting test in the championship at league leaders Bayer Leverkusen. In the Champions League, Union's decisive matches are at SC Braga and at home against Real Madrid.
First chance for Union
In Naples, coach Urs Fischer predicted before kick-off: "The first 10 or 15 minutes are very important." And so the team of the 57-year-old Swiss played with sober craftsmanship in the stadium where Diego Armando Maradona once enchanted the fans with his art of soccer. The Iron survived the opening quarter of an hour and even had the first chance of the game through Sheraldo Becker (4th).
Firecrackers caused irritation during this phase. In the evening and the night before the game, according to police reports, there were riots by Union supporters and also fans of Borussia Mönchengladbach. Eleven Germans were reportedly arrested. The security measures for the match were then tightened again. During the game, however, firecrackers were thrown by Napoli fans into the block of around 2,500 Union fans.
On the pitch, the Berlin professionals continued to try not to let anything unsettle them in front of 47,108 spectators. However, things became more dicey and the moments of relief from the simple style of play were rarer.
A shot by Piotr Zielinski from close range was saved by goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow, then a header by the Brazilian Natan saved Union from falling behind. With just under half an hour gone, the ball was in the Berlin net. However, André Zambo Anguissa's goal was disallowed by video review, as preparer and captain Giovanni di Lorenzo had brazenly propped himself up beforehand.
Behind before the break
But before the break, the score was 0:1. Once again, the Union defense looked unsafe, Juranovic deflected a cross from the side in such a way that the ball hit Politano's chest and from there into the goal. And as unfortunate as it was to concede the goal, Juranovic was just as unlucky when he struck the post with a free-kick in first-half stoppage time.
Even after the break, little changed in terms of possession. Only one thing was suddenly different: Union were celebrating. After a clearance from their own penalty area, the ball went through Becker, whose shot was parried with one hand by SSC keeper Alex Meret - but in such a way that the ball ended up with Fofana. The attacker, who had recently been suspended after refusing to shake hands, did not hesitate for long and scored the equalizer. It was the first Union goal in over a month.
And suddenly Union looked like the team from their better days. Substitute Christopher Trimmel tested Meret with a shot from distance. But that was as good as it got, with Rönnow saving the tie in the end.
Union will face Real Madrid at home in a crucial Champions League match, aiming to secure points and continue their international campaign. Despite their recent struggles in the Bundesliga and DFB Cup, a draw against SSC Napoles in the Champions League showed their resilience, as even Italian champions SSC Napoles fell victim to Union's soccer skill and determination at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
In a Champions League match that saw a draw against Naples's champions, 1st FC Union Berlin showed their prowess in soccer, demonstrating a strong desire to overcome their struggles and compete at a high level.
Source: www.dpa.com
