Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King-Chapter 317: Udinese Draw First Blood

The AFAS Stadion crackled with tension, the floodlights casting sharp shadows across the pitch.

The 30th minute ticked by, and the scoreboard still held firm at 0-0. AZ Alkmaar and Udinese traded blows, each pass a jab, each tackle a counterpunch. The crowd’s roar never dipped, a relentless wave fueling the players’ fire.

Martens scooped up a loose ball, his boots scuffing the turf as he flicked it to Benjamin. The winger danced near the touchline, eyes scanning. Basta edged closer, cautious but aggressive.

Benjamin feinted left, then chopped right—a quick Ronaldo’s Chop—leaving Basta’s lunge grasping air. The crowd erupted, scarves swinging.

Tony’s voice surged. [Benjamin’s at it again! Basta’s on skates!]

Jack laughed, mic catching his clap. [He’s making it look easy, Tony! Kid’s got magic in those boots]

Benjamin sprinted toward the 18 yard box, but Benatia slid in, a crunching tackle sending the ball spinning to Pinzi.

The Udinese midfielder didn’t hesitate, driving forward, shrugging off Elm’s press. He clipped it wide to Armero, who tore down the left, Marcellis scrambling to keep up.

Jack’s tone sharpened. [Here comes Armero—man’s a rocket!]

Tony leaned forward, voice tight. [Marcellis is struggling, Jack. This is danger]

Armero’s cross came low, skidding across the six-yard box. Di Natale darted in, but Viergever threw himself across, the ball smacking his thigh and bouncing clear.

The veteran striker spun with hands on his hips, muttering to himself as the away fans groaned.

Tony exhaled. [Viergever’s a wall there! Di Natale was inches away]

Jack’s voice carried respect. [That’s gutsy, Tony. Viergever’s reading him like a book]

#34th minute.

AZ Alkmaar countered. Henriksen snapped a pass to Berghuis, who cut inside, past Willians’ lunge. He fired a cross toward Altidore, who wrestled with Danilo, elbows clashing.

The striker’s header looped high, dropping into Brkić’s gloves. The keeper rolled it out quick, sparking Udinese’s response.

Jack sighed. [Altidore’s fighting, but Danilo’s got him in a vice]

Tony’s tone was warm. [He’s not giving up, Jack. One of these has to go in]

Udinese built patiently. Pinzi dropped deep, collecting from Domizzi. He turned, spotting Badu breaking through the middle.

The pass was sharp, splitting Elm and Martens. Badu took it in stride, charging past Henriksen’s late lunge. The crowd hushed, sensing trouble.

Tony’s voice tightened. [Badu’s through the gap! This is on!]

Jack’s tone spiked. [He’s got space, Tony—AZ Alkmaar are stretched!]

Badu fed Willians, who drifted wide, pulling Reijnen out of position. The Brazilian midfielder slowed, letting Fabbrini overlap.

Willians rolled it back, a clever one-two, and Fabbrini’s return pass found him unmarked, 25 yards out.

Reijnen scrambled back, but Willians didn’t hesitate. He struck it—hard, low, arrowing toward the bottom corner.

Alvarado dove with his gloves outstretched, but the ball zipped past, kissing the post before rippling the net.

GOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!~

The away end exploded, black and white scarves flying. Willians sprinted to the corner, fist pumping, teammates piling on. Di Natale slapped his back, grinning.

Tony gasped. [Goal! Willians! Udinese draw first blood!]

Jack’s voice roared, mic crackling. [What a strike, Tony! That’s clinical—Alvarado had no chance!]

The scoreboard flicked to 1-0, 35th minute. Gertjan Verbeek paced the touchline, arms crossed, barking at his defenders. Alvarado kicked the post, gloves smacking his thighs. Viergever and Reijnen exchanged sharp words, pointing at the gap Willians had exploited.

Jack chuckled, still buzzing. [That’s been coming, hasn’t it? Udinese’s midfield just carved AZ Alkmaar open]

Tony’s tone was grim. [Poor marking, Jack. Henriksen got caught flat-footed, and Reijnen was nowhere. Gertjan Verbeek’s not happy]

The game restarted, AZ Alkmaar shell-shocked but urgent. Elm collected from Alvarado, passing short to Gorter.

The defender hoofed it long, aiming for Altidore, but Danilo rose, nodding it back to Pinzi. Udinese slowed the tempo, passing between Badu and Willians, eating seconds.

Tony’s voice softened. [Udinese are in control now. AZ Alkmaar need to wake up]

Jack nodded, though no one saw. [They’re rattled, Tony. That goal’s shifted the mood]

AZ Alkmaar pushed. Martens darted through midfield, slipping past Pinzi. He fed Benjamin, who took on Basta again.

The winger faked a cross, then cut inside with a La Croqueta, leaving Basta lunging. The crowd roared, urging him on. Benjamin’s shot was fierce, curling toward the top corner, but Brkić leaped, palming it over.

Tony’s voice jumped. [What a save! Benjamin nearly answers back!]

Jack clapped, grinning. [Brkić’s on fire, Tony! That was heading for the top bin!]

The corner came to nothing. Benjamin’s delivery was sharp, but Domizzi headed clear, and Badu broke, sprinting past Elm.

He passed to Fabbrini, who darted toward the 18 yard box, but Viergever slid in, grass flying, to win it back. The home fans cheered, sensing a spark.

Jack’s tone lifted. [Viergever’s fighting back! That’s the spirit AZ Alkmaar need]

Tony’s voice was hopeful. [They’re not done yet, Jack. Still time before the break]

#38th minute.

AZ Alkmaar kept probing. Henriksen drove forward, finding Martens, who flicked it wide to Berghuis. The winger skinned Armero, crossing low.

Altidore lunged, but Benatia’s boot nicked it away, rolling to Brkić. The keeper took his time, waving his defenders up.

Tony sighed. [Altidore’s getting no luck. Benatia’s reading everything]

Jack’s voice was sympathetic. [He’s battling a brick wall, Tony. But he’s not quitting]

Udinese pushed again. Willians, brimming with confidence, collected from Pinzi and charged. He slipped it to Di Natale, who spun past Gorter, 20 yards out.

The striker’s shot was low, but Alvarado sprawled, gloving it wide. The corner fizzled—Reijnen headed clear.

Jack whistled. [Di Natale’s still hunting, isn’t he? Alvarado’s keeping AZ Alkmaar in this]

Tony’s tone was tense. [He’s got to, Jack. One more before halftime, and AZ Alkmaar are in trouble]

AZ threw everything forward. Elm lofted a ball to Benjamin, who chested it down and sprinted. He chopped past Badu, but Domizzi crunched in, forcing a throw. The crowd urged them on, voices hoarse but unbroken.

Tony’s voice rose. "They’ve got to level up the score before halftime"

Jack’s tone matched him. [They’re digging deep, Tony. Can they nick one?]

The throw went to Marcellis, who found Henriksen. The midfielder passed to Martens, who tried a curler from 25 yards. It sailed wide, Brkić watching it go. The away fans jeered, waving their scarves.

Jack chuckled. [Ambitious from Martens, but that’s not troubling anyone]

Tony’s voice softened. [He had to try, Jack. Time’s slipping away]