Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 216: Pressure

Chapter 216: Pressure

The AZ Alkmaar players barely had time to reset before Udinese came at them again, their confidence soaring after taking the lead.

The home crowd roared, urging them forward as Badu drove through the midfield, his energy relentless.

[Udinese aren’t letting up,] Marco observed. [They know AZ Alkmaar are vulnerable right now]

David nodded. [And with a man advantage, they’ll want to press that as much as possible. This is a dangerous spell for AZ Alkmaar]

Badu spotted Pereyra making a darting run on the left and threaded a perfect through ball between the defenders.

The Argentine midfielder took it in stride, his first touch immaculate as he surged toward the 18 yard box.

[This is trouble! Pereyra’s got space!]

Reijnen scrambled to close him down, but Pereyra was already shaping to shoot. He cut inside onto his right foot and unleashed a curling effort toward the far post—

—but Alvarado was alert!

[Big save from Alvarado!]

The AZ Alkmaar keeper dove at full stretch, getting his fingertips to the shot and pushing it wide.

The ball spun out for a corner, and Alvarado wasted no time barking instructions at his defense.

[That’s a massive stop,] David breathed. [If that goes in, AZ Alkmaar are in real trouble]

Marco agreed. [And look at Alvarado—he’s trying to rally his teammates here. They need to wake up]

Udinese wasted no time setting up for the corner. Lazzari trotted over, raising a hand as he signaled to his teammates. The AZ Alkmaar defense packed the 18 yard box, Viergever shouting orders as they braced themselves.

The delivery came in—a sharp, dipping cross that curled toward the penalty spot.

[Here comes the corner—who’s there?!]

Danilo climbed highest, his powerful frame towering over the defenders. He met the ball cleanly, directing a thunderous header toward goal—

—but once again, Alvarado reacted brilliantly!

[Another incredible save!]

The Costa Rican shot-stopper threw himself across goal, getting both hands to the ball and parrying it away. It ricocheted into the crowded box, bodies scrambling as they fought for control.

[It’s still alive in there!]

Henriksen reacted first, launching himself at the ball and hooking it clear. It soared past the halfway line, buying AZ Alkmaar a moment to breathe.

[What a sequence,] Marco marveled. [Alvarado is keeping AZ Alkmaar in this game almost single-handedly!]

David agreed. [He’s been phenomenal, but he can’t do this alone. AZ Alkmaar need to find a way to relieve some of this pressure]

Henriksen’s clearance found Martens, who immediately turned and sprinted forward. He had little support, but he didn’t hesitate, taking on his marker with a sharp cut inside.

[And here comes AZ Alkmaar! Can they hit on the counter?]

Martens drove into Udinese’s half, his quick feet drawing defenders toward him. He spotted Berghuis making a run on the right and played a perfectly weighted pass into his path.

[Great vision from Martens!]

Berghuis took a touch, his pace carrying him into the 18 yard box. The Udinese defenders scrambled back, but he had a step on them. He lifted his head, scanning his options—and then went for goal himself!

[Berghuis with the strike!]

The ball rocketed toward the near post, but Brkić was quick to react, throwing himself to his left and getting a strong hand to it. He palmed it away, and the rebound fell just outside the 18 yard box.

[Oh, what a chance!]

Altidore rushed in, meeting the loose ball with a powerful first-time shot—

—but it flew just over the bar!

[So close! AZ Alkmaar finally get a shot off, but Altidore just couldn’t keep it down]

David sighed. [That was better, though. That’s the kind of urgency they need to show]

Marco nodded. [Exactly. Even with ten men, they can’t afford to sit back. They have to go for it]

The AZ Alkmaar players regrouped, their frustration evident, but there was a renewed energy in their movements. Despite the setback, they weren’t ready to give up just yet.

[This is shaping up to be an incredible battle,] David said. [Still a long way to go in this match!]

As soon as Brkić sent the goal kick long, they pushed forward again, determined to keep AZ Alkmaar pinned back.

[They’re relentless right now,] Marco noted. [AZ Alkmaar are struggling to catch a break]

David exhaled. [Yeah, they need to ride this storm out. If they concede again, it’s going to be a long night for them]

The ball dropped near the center circle, where Allan muscled his way past Victor Elm to win possession.

Without hesitation, he turned and sprayed a diagonal pass out to the right flank, where Basta was already sprinting into space.

[That’s a clever pass! Basta has room to work with!]

The right-back controlled it effortlessly before driving forward, his eyes locked on the penalty area.

Reijnen backpedaled, trying to contain him, but Basta wasn’t slowing down. He reached the edge of the 18 yard box box and swung in a low, driven cross.

[Dangerous ball in!]

The cross zipped toward the near post, where Muriel lurked, ready to pounce. He lunged, getting a toe to it but Alvarado reacted again!

[Another stop from Alvarado!]

The AZ Alkmaar keeper stuck out his right leg, blocking the shot just as Muriel made contact.

The ball deflected away, but only as far as Badu, who was waiting near the penalty spot.

[This could be trouble! Badu lines it up—]

Badu swung his right foot through it, striking the ball with pure power. The shot rifled toward goal like a bullet—

—but Viergever threw himself in front of it!

[Incredible block from Viergever!]

The ball ricocheted off his outstretched leg and spun toward the sideline. Martens rushed in, beating Pereyra to the loose ball before hooking it upfield.

[AZ Alkmaar just about survive again!]

Marco shook his head. [But they can’t keep relying on last-ditch defending. They have to find a way to break out of this pressure]

David nodded. [Exactly. Every clearance is coming right back at them]