Champions League: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia leads Napoli's charge in narrow win against Union Berlin
Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskheli helped an «ice-cold» Napoli secure a narrow Champions League victory at Union Berlin on Tuesday, laying on the game's only goal for Giacomo Raspadori in a 1-0 away victory. The Georgian stepped up in the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen and was dangerous throughout, slicing through the Union defence to set up Raspadori midway through the second half.
The victory — Napoli's second in three group stage matches — boosts the Italian side's chances of reaching the knockouts, while Union are stranded in last place with no points after three losses. Visiting manager Rudi Garcia said «we had to be patient and in the second half we did better — and scored a great goal.»
«We've won twice away from home (but) there's still a long way for us to go to qualify.» Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo told Sky Sports: «We wanted this win — we showed how strong of a side we are.»
trending now
Goalscorer Raspadori said although his team «could have done better» against Union «an away win like this in the Champions League is always good.» «We knew it would be difficult.»
Also Read: Soccer-Real Madrid's Rodrygo and Bellingham on target in 2-1 win at Braga
«Napoli didn't have many chances but they were ice cold» Union captain Christopher Trimmel told broadcaster DAZN. Union coach Urs Fischer told reporters after the game it was «brutal to leave the field as the loser after the way we played, we had a grip on Napoli.»
The Swiss coach said Kvaratskhelia was the difference between the sides. «It's not possible to defend a player of his quality for 90 minutes.»
Osimhen outNapoli travelled to the German capital without offensive talisman Osimhen, the Nigeria striker having torn his hamstring while on
