Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 213: Udinese Calcio Vs AZ Alkmaar

Chapter 213: Udinese Calcio Vs AZ Alkmaar

The players took their final positions on the pitch, their eyes locked on the ball resting at the center circle. The referee gave a last glance to both goalkeepers before raising his whistle to his lips.

Fweeee!

[And we are underway here at the Stadio Friuli! Udinese, in their black and white stripes, kick us off, attacking from left to right, while AZ Alkmaar, in their red kits, look to make a strong start in this European clash,] Marco Lazzari called.

The ball was immediately played back to Allan, who turned and rolled it to Danilo under early pressure from Altidore.

The Brazilian defender quickly shifted it wide to Basta on the right flank, looking to push forward.

[You can already see the intent from Udinese,] David Vickery noted. [They want to establish control early, keeping possession and stretching AZ Alkmaar’s shape]

Basta drove forward but was quickly closed down by Gorter, who forced him to pass back.

The Udinese fullback recycled the ball to Lazzari, who spotted Muriel making a darting run behind Reijnen.

[That’s a lovely ball forward! Muriel’s in behind!]

The crowd roared as Muriel sprinted past his marker and reached the pass near the edge of the 18 yard box. He took a touch, but just as he was about to shoot—

[Brilliant recovery by Viergever! He gets a foot in just in time!]

The AZ Alkmaar defender stretched to poke the ball away, and Alvarado was quick off his line to smother any danger. Muriel slapped the turf in frustration as AZ Alkmaar regrouped.

[That was an early warning for AZ Alkmaar,] Marco added. [A well-timed run from Muriel, and you can see the threat Udinese carries in transition]

Alvarado rolled the ball out to Martens, who turned and looked for options. He spotted Benjamin Rijkaard peeling away from his marker and sent a sharp pass his way.

[Here comes AZ Alkmaar now. Benjamin Rijkaard, receiving the ball in space and has options ahead]

The young winger took a touch and lifted his head. Berghuis was making a diagonal run, while Altidore hovered near the 18 yard box, ready to pounce.

Instead of playing it simple, Benjamin took on his marker, cutting inside past Gabriel Silva before threading a precise ball into Henriksen’ feet at the edge of the penalty area.

[That’s excellent from Benjamin Rijkaard! He’s got confidence, and look at that pass to Henriksen!]

Henriksen controlled the ball, feigned a shot to send Domizzi lunging, then shifted it onto his left foot before firing low toward the far post.

Brkić reacted swiftly.

A strong hand down to his right, parrying the ball just past the post!

[What a save! Brkić with a crucial stop to deny Henriksen the opener!]

The AZ Alkmaar players raised their hands in frustration, but it was a quality stop from the Udinese goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Henriksen shook his head, knowing he was close.

[That was a great build-up by AZ Alkmaar,] David analyzed. [Benjamin Rijkaard showed his composure, and Henriksen did everything right—except for the finish. Brkić was just equal to it]

[And now AZ Alkmaar have their first corner of the match,] Marco added. [Let’s see what they can do with it]

Benjamin jogged over to take the set-piece, scanning the 18 yard box before delivering an inswinger toward the near post.

Altidore leaped, challenging Danilo in the air, but the Udinese defender did just enough to put him off, and the ball skimmed off his head and out for a goal kick.

[Unlucky there for Altidore,] Marco remarked. [He just couldn’t direct that on target]

Udinese took the goal kick short, looking to rebuild from the back. Danilo played it to Lazzari, who flicked it forward to Pereyra, and suddenly Udinese were on the move again.

[This game has started at a fantastic pace,] David observed. [Both teams looking sharp, both goalkeepers called into action early. It’s shaping up to be an exciting contest]

The camera zoomed in on the AZ Alkmaar bench, where Gertjan Verbeek stood on the touchline with his arms crossed, watching intently. He knew his side had started well, but they needed to maintain this intensity.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, Udinese probed for an opening, passing the ball with precision, waiting for the moment to strike.

It was only the opening five minutes, but the battle was already well underway.

Both sides refusing to back down as possession shifted back and forth.

Udinese pressed high, forcing AZ Alkmaar to move the ball quickly. Henriksen dropped deep to collect before switching play to Gorter on the left.

[Good switch there from Henriksen,] Marco noted. [AZ Alkmaar trying to find space, but Udinese are pressing aggressively]

Gorter cushioned the ball with his chest and immediately found Benjamin Rijkaard near the touchline.

The young winger controlled it smoothly, turning to face Basta, his direct opponent for the night.

[Here’s Benjamin Rijkaard again, one-on-one with Basta,] David pointed out. [We saw him pick the right pass earlier. What’s he going to do this time?]

Benjamin feinted left before darting inside, skipping past Basta with a burst of pace. With a quick glance into the 18 yard box, he whipped in a curling cross.

[Dangerous delivery! Altidore’s there!]

The American striker rose high, battling with Domizzi, but the Udinese defender did just enough to put him off. The ball skimmed past Altidore’s head and fell to Berghuis at the back post.

[Berghuis!]

The winger controlled with his first touch and unleashed a shot with his second—

—but Danilo threw himself in the way, blocking it heroically.

[Fantastic defending! Danilo puts his body on the line!]

The Udinese players quickly scrambled to clear, but AZ Alkmaar regained possession near midfield.

Henriksen, dictating the tempo, slid a neat pass toward Martens, who pivoted and looked up.

[AZ Alkmaar are settling into a rhythm here,] Marco observed. [They’re keeping Udinese pinned back, and you can see their confidence growing]

Martens spotted Benjamin making another darting run and sent a well-weighted ball down the left wing.

The young Dutchman accelerated, reaching it before Basta, and immediately cut inside onto his right foot.

[He’s got space—does he go for goal?]