Soccer-Napoli Stumble To 1-1 Draw As Eliminated Union Snap Losing Run – News18

NAPLES, Italy: Union Berlin scored a second-half equaliser against the run of play to snatch a 1-1 draw at Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday and snap their 12-game losing run across all competitions but they still bowed out with two games left.

Matteo Politano gave the Italians a deserved 39th-minute lead following a one-sided first half before David Fofana levelled on the break seven minutes after the restart with the Germans’ first big chance from open play.

The draw left Napoli in second place in Group C on seven points, two behind leaders Real Madrid who face Braga, on three points, later on Wednesday.

Union, who had lost all their previous group matches in their maiden appearance in the competition, are bottom on one point and can no longer reach the knockout stage but can still finish third and qualify for the Europa League.

The Germans were on the backfoot from the start and keeper Frederik Ronnow pulled off a good save to stop a Piotr Zielinski shot in the 17th minute.

The hosts went even closer in the 25th when Natan’s header hit the woodwork and then thought their dominance had finally paid off when Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa’s header found the net.

His effort, however, was disallowed for an earlier foul following a lengthy VAR review, with Napoli having 70% possession in the first half.

They did break the deadlock before halftime when a deflected shot bounced off Politano’s chest and into the goal.

Union hit the post through Josip Juranovic’s free kick in first-half stoppage time and then caught Napoli napping seven minutes after the restart with a quick break as Fofana slotted in on the rebound to stun the home crowd.

Napoli had 18 corners to the Germans’ five but despite late pressure and a string of chances they failed to score again.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Reuters)