Union fall to third consecutive Champions League defeat

Union Berlin 0-1 Napoli
Goals: 0-1 Raspadori 65' (assist: Kvaratskhelia)

After eight consecutive defeats in all competitions, including narrow losses to Real Madrid and Braga in their maiden two fixtures in this competition, it would have been easy for the hosts to wilt under the wait of the increasing pressure. However, they started positively against the reigning Serie A champions, and were the better side before the interval. Janik Haberer's early half-volley from distance and Diogo Leite's header, both of which flew wide of the post, could be described as half-chances but, shortly after the hour mark, Die Eisernen appeared to have taken the lead. Some brilliant work from David Datro Fofana down the right flank saw the Ivory Coast international break into the area and play a ball across the face of goal for Haberer to tap into an empty net. However, the striker was in an inside position when he initially received the ball, meaning the goal was chalked off. There were further opportunities for Brenden Aaronson, Fofana and Rani Khedira before the break and, while none of them threatened to beat Alex Meret between the Napoli sticks, Urs Fischer will have been happy with his side's display, with Union also preventing their opponents from having a real sight of goal.

At the start of the second half, it was much the same story - Napoli dominated possession and territory, but Union looked the more dangerous on the counter-attack. However, after Fofana had dragged an effort wide, the visitors struck at the other end in the 65th minute. Danger man Khvicha Kvaratshkelia was involved, getting to the byline and pulling a ball back for Giacomo Raspadori, the replacement for the injured Victor Osimhen, to bury a first-time effort beyond Fredrik Rønnow. Union pushed forward in their attempts to grab an equaliser, and they came within inches of it when Robin Knoche headed Christopher Trimmel's cross just wide of the post. In the end, Fischer and Co. couldn't find the goal their endeavour deserved. This was their third straight defeat in this competition, meaning their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages are all but over. However, Real Madrid's victory over Braga in the group's other clash means Union's hopes of dropping down to the UEFA Europa League are still alive, although their Bundesliga clash against Werder Bremen this weekend is currently more pressing.

• Union have lost all three of their Champions League matches this term by a single goal.
• The side from the capital's nine defeats this term in all competitions is just three fewer than they registered in the entire 2022/23 season.
• Raspadori's strike was Napoli's only shot on target of the entire match.
• This was Union's first meeting with an Italian club.
• Trimmel was making his Champions League debut after missing the first two games of this term.
• Second-half subsitute Jesper Lindstrøm won the 2021/22 Europa League during his time in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Teams

Union Berlin: Rønnow - Doekhi (Tousart 80'), Knoche, Leite - Trimmel (c), Haberer (Volland 80'), Khedira (Král 70'), Aaronson (Laïdouni 70'), Gosens - Fofana (Behrens 70'), Becker
Subs: Schwolow, Stein, Jaeckel, Bonucci, Dehl
Out: Juranović (muscle), Schäfer (foot), Kaufmann (knock), Roussillon (knock)
Coach: Urs Fischer

Napoli: Meret - Di Lorenzo (c), Rrahmani, Natan, Rui (Olivera 71') - Cajuste (Elmas 46'), Lobotka, Zieliński - Politano (Lindstrøm 81'), Raspadori (Simeone 71'), Kvaratskhelia (Østigård 88')
Subs: Contini, Gollini, Zanoli, Gaetano, Zerbin, D'Avino
Out: Osimhen (thigh), Anguissa (thigh), Jesus (hamstring)
Coach: Rudi Garcia

As it happened!