Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 214: Tit For Tat

Chapter 214: Tit For Tat

[He’s got space—does he go for goal?]

Instead, Benjamin slipped a clever reverse pass into the 18 yard box for Altidore, who muscled past Domizzi and fired low—

—but again, Brkić was equal to it, diving to his left to push the shot wide!

[Brkić denies Altidore! What a crucial save that is!]

The Udinese keeper was earning his wages early, keeping his team level despite AZ Alkmaar’s growing pressure.

The home crowd responded with applause, recognizing his heroics.

[AZ Alkmaar have knocked on the door twice now,] David remarked. [They’re looking sharp in attack, but Brkić is standing firm]

The resulting corner was taken short, Henriksen and Benjamin linking up before Benjamin curled in a teasing cross.

This time, Viergever rose highest, but his header lacked power, allowing Brkić to claim it comfortably.

Udinese quickly transitioned, launching a counterattack through Muriel. The Colombian striker burst forward, evading a desperate lunge from Martens before threading a through-ball to Di Natale.

[This is where Udinese are so dangerous! Di Natale—one-on-one!]

The veteran striker took a touch and shaped to shoot—

—but Alvarado rushed out, making himself big and smothering the attempt just in time!

[Alvarado with a massive save! He had to get that right, and he did!]

The AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper got to his feet quickly, urging his teammates to stay focused. The warning was clear—Udinese only needed a moment to strike.

[What a start to this match,] Marco exclaimed. [Both sides going for it, both keepers stepping up. You can already feel this is going to be a special night]

David nodded. [This is exactly what you want from a European tie. End-to-end football, top-quality chances. Who will make the breakthrough first?]

***

The energy inside the Stadio Friuli reached an all-time high as both teams continued to push forward in attack, neither willing to concede control.

Udinese, keen to shift momentum in their favor, worked the ball through midfield. Allan and Lazzari combined neatly before sending it wide to Gabriel Silva.

The left-back hesitated for a moment before driving forward, glancing up to assess his options.

[Udinese trying to work an opening,] Marco noted. [AZ Alkmaar have been solid so far, but they have to stay alert]

Gabriel Silva cut inside, evading Gorter’s challenge before slipping a quick pass to Muriel, who held off Reijnen and spun toward goal.

[Muriel with quick feet—he’s looking dangerous!]

Muriel accelerated, his sharp movements forcing Viergever to track him closely. The Colombian shifted the ball onto his right foot and let fly from just outside the penalty area.

The strike was fierce, but Alvarado reacted swiftly, diving to his right and parrying the ball away!

[Alvarado again! He’s keeping AZ Alkmaar in this!]

David nodded. [That’s an outstanding save. Muriel caught that well, but Alvarado was equal to it]

The rebound fell to Pereyra, who attempted to fire on goal, but Elm slid in with a perfectly timed challenge, blocking the shot and sending the ball out for a corner.

[Great defensive work by Victor Elm! Udinese piling on the pressure, but AZ Alkmaar aren’t giving them an inch]

The Udinese players gathered near the 18 yard box as the corner was taken short. Lazzari played it back to Pereyra, who swung in a teasing cross toward the back post.

[Good delivery—Di Natale’s there!]

The veteran forward met it with a powerful header, but the angle was tight, and the ball sailed just over the bar.

[A let-off for AZ Alkmaar,] Marco remarked. [Di Natale will be disappointed with that one]

Alvarado quickly restarted play, rolling the ball out to Martens, who turned and found Benjamin Rijkaard in space once again.

The young winger controlled it smoothly, his confidence evident as he surged forward.

[And here comes Benjamin Rijkaard again! He’s been lively so far]

Benjamin danced past Basta with ease, his quick feet leaving the Udinese fullback scrambling. He spotted Henriksen making a late run into the 18 yard box and delivered a low, driven cross.

Henriksen met it first-time, striking it cleanly, but Brkić was once again up to the task, blocking it with his legs!

[Brkić is having a sensational game! How many times will he deny AZ Alkmaar?]

David exhaled. [That was another golden chance! Henriksen did everything right, but Brkić is proving to be an absolute wall]

The frustration was evident on the faces of the AZ Alkmaar players, but they regrouped quickly, pressing high as Udinese tried to clear their lines.

[You can feel the urgency now,] Marco observed. [AZ Alkmaar have had the better chances, but they need to make one count]

Udinese, however, had other plans. A quick one-two between Lazzari and Allan carved open space in midfield, allowing Pereyra to drive forward.

Seeing Muriel peeling off his marker, he threaded a perfect through-ball between the AZ Alkmaar center-backs.

[Muriel’s in again! This could be it!]

The crowd held its breath as Muriel stormed into the box, one-on-one with Alvarado. He opened up his body, ready to place it into the far corner.

But Alvarado wasn’t having it.

The AZ Alkmaar keeper charged off his line, making himself big, and just as Muriel pulled the trigger—

He made a stunning save!

Alvarado got a strong hand to the shot, pushing it away from danger before Viergever cleared it upfield.

[Alvarado is putting on a masterclass tonight! That’s a top-class save!]

David shook his head in admiration. [That’s goalkeeping at its finest. Muriel had to score, but Alvarado stood firm]

The tension in the stadium was palpable. With both goalkeepers in inspired form, the question remained—who would blink first?

AZ Alkmaar, sensing an opportunity, surged forward again. Henriksen played a clever ball out wide to Berghuis, who delivered a pinpoint cross into the 18 yard box.

Altidore rose highest, meeting it with a powerful header—

—but the ball crashed against the crossbar!

CLANG!!!~

[Oh, so close! Altidore denied by the woodwork!]

The AZ Alkmaar bench had their hands on their heads, disbelief etched on their faces.

[It’s only a matter of time,] Marco said. [Surely AZ Alkmaar will find a way through]

David agreed. [With the way they’re playing, it feels like a goal is coming. But Udinese are still dangerous on the break. This match is on a knife’s edge]

The battle continued, both teams refusing to give an inch. Every pass, every touch, every movement carried deadly intent. The first goal would be crucial.