Napoli spent 90 minutes dominating the match against Union Berlin yet somehow ended up drawing. That was the verdict handed down by the football gods as Matteo Politano's opener was cancelled out by David Fofana at the Stadio Maradona on Wednesday.
The Azzurri began the game on the front foot, bossing possession and creating one opening after another. Frank Anguissa had a goal ruled out by VAR as Giovanni Di Lorenzo was adjudged to have fouled during his knockdown, then Natan then saw his header bounce off the post.
The breakthrough finally came five minutes before the break when Politano's chest connected with Mario Rui's cross.
Napoli began the second half in the ascendancy too but in the 52nd minute a well-orchestrated Union counter-attack enabled Fofana to level the scores.
One-way traffic resumed after that but the Berlin wall managed to withstand Napoli's onslaughts to claim a share of the spoils for the visitors.
Three points would have all but confirmed Napoli's place in the last 16 but Rudi Garcia's men remain in a commanding position in Group C, four points ahead of Braga with two matches left to play.
Next up is a Sunday lunchtime kick-off against Empoli before the international break.
Napoli 1-1 Union Berlin (HT 1-0)
Scorers: Politano 39, Fofana 52.
NAPOLI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Natan, Mario Rui (Olivera 77) Anguissa, Lobotka (Simeone 77), Zielinski (Cajuste 90+1), Politano (Lindstrom 87), Kvaratskhelia, Raspadori.
Coach: Garcia.
UNION BERLIN: Ronnow; Jaeckel, Bonucci, Diogo Leite, Juranovic (Trimmel 64), Haberer (Aaranson 79), Khedira (Tousart 70), Laidouni (Kral 70), Roussillon (Gosens 79), Becker, Fofana. Coach: Fischer.
Referee: Makkelie (Netherlands).
Booked: Bonucci, Jaeckel, Tousart, Simeone.
