Union Berlin defender Leonardo Bonucci jokes his booking on Napoli striker Giacomo Raspadori was ‘like Giorgio Chiellini at Wembley’ in the EURO 2020 Final.
The Germans had come into the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in disastrous form, losing 12 consecutive matches in all competitions.
It seemed to be another nightmare when Matteo Politano turned in the Mario Rui cross to give Napoli the half-time lead, but Union Berlin broke from the corner kick to score on the counter-attack.
This is their first ever point in the Champions League and a surprising result against the Italian title holders.
“We bring home a fundamental point. We knew that we had to do something more, but on Sunday there’s another big game for us against Bayer Leverkusen and we’ve got to keep this going,” Bonucci told Sky Sport Italia.
“This has to represent a turning point for us. It was starting to feel like a nightmare. We conceded again today on an unlucky deflection, but there was a reaction after the break and we knew that we could hurt Napoli on the counter. Our approach was rewarded.”
Bonucci was shown the yellow card for a shirt tug on Raspadori after the Italy international teammate had nutmegged him.
“Jack made me run left and right, he has a great future ahead of him. He is a complete striker who can shoot with either foot,” explained the veteran.
“My challenge on him reminded me a little of Chiellini at Wembley!”
He was referring to Chiellini dragging back Bukayo Saka by the jersey in the EURO 2020 Final when the England man was getting away on the counter-attack.
Raspadori would also know it well, as he was part of the squad that won the trophy on penalties that night.
“Napoli have some devastating players in attack, but we did well to close off the passing channels and our goalkeeper did the rest.
“With strikers like this, the defender has to stay concentrated for 95 minutes.”