Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 217: Tense Nerves 1

Chapter 217: Tense Nerves 1

AZ Alkmaar tried to reset, but Udinese came again, this time through Allan, who switched the play over to the left flank.

Lazzari controlled it, glanced up, and whipped an early cross into the area.

[Another cross—Muriel’s there!]

Muriel leaped, his header flashing toward the top corner—but Alvarado pulled off another stunning save!

[Oh my word, what a save! Alvarado is keeping AZ Alkmaar in this all by himself!]

The AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper pushed the ball over the bar, landing hard before quickly springing to his feet. He clapped his hands, urging his teammates to stay focused.

[That is top-class goalkeeping,] David said. [If AZ Alkmaar get anything from this game, they owe it to Esteban Alvarado]

Marco agreed. [He’s been unbelievable. But they need to relieve this pressure. Udinese are getting closer with every attack]

The corner was taken quickly, played short to Pereyra, who cut inside and curled in a dangerous cross. The ball swung toward the back post—

—but Elm was there this time, rising highest to head it clear.

[Better from AZ Alkmaar,] David said. [They need to string some passes together now]

The clearance fell to Berghuis, who wasted no time. He took a touch and spotted Henriksen making a run upfield. Without hesitation, he played a precise ball into space.

[This could be something! Henriksen is away!]

Henriksen sprinted onto it, his pace taking him past his marker as he broke into the Udinese half. The away fans roared, sensing an opportunity.

[They need support here!]

Henriksen glanced up and saw Altidore bursting through the middle. He waited for the right moment—then delivered a perfectly weighted pass into his path.

[Altidore’s in!]

The American striker took a strong first touch, driving into the penalty area. Danilo was closing in, but Altidore held him off, steadying himself as he prepared to shoot.

[Can he finish?!]

Altidore struck it low and hard toward the bottom corner—but Brkić made a brilliant save!

[Oh, denied again! Brkić with a huge stop!]

The Udinese goalkeeper got down quickly, getting a strong hand to the shot and parrying it wide for a corner.

[So close for AZ Alkmaar!]

Marco sighed. [That was their moment. A golden chance, but Brkić comes up big]

David shook his head. [You can see the frustration on Altidore’s face. He knows that was a huge opportunity]

The AZ Alkmaar players regrouped, breathing heavily as they anticipatingly jogged into position in the 18 yard box. It was end-to-end now, both teams refusing to back down.

[What a game this is turning into,] David said. [Still plenty of time left. Anything can happen!]

Benjamin jogged over to take the corner, his face set with determination. He raised an arm, signaling his teammates before delivering an inswinging cross toward the near post.

[Here comes the corner—who’s attacking it?!]

Viergever broke free from his marker, rising above the crowd. He powered a header toward goal—

—but it clipped off a defender’s shoulder and deflected high into the air.

[It’s still in play!]

Chaos erupted in the 18 yard box. Bodies scrambled as the ball dropped near the six-yard line. Altidore reacted first, stretching out a boot—

—but Domizzi got there just in time, hooking it away to safety at the last second.

[Great defending from Udinese! That was a real danger from ten-men AZ Alkmaar!]

The clearance didn’t go far. Elm collected it near the edge of the 18 yard box, took a quick touch, and lined up a shot.

[Elm goes for goal!]

He struck it well, his right foot slicing through the ball with pure power, sending it swerving toward the top corner—but it sailed just over the bar!

[That was close! You could see his intent the moment it left his boot!]

David exhaled. [Better from AZ Alkmaar. They’re starting to create real chances now]

Marco nodded. [That’s what they need to do. They have to keep pushing, keep asking questions of this Udinese defense]

Brkić took his time with the goal kick, allowing his teammates to reset. He launched it deep, aiming for Muriel, who outmuscled his defender and flicked it on.

Pereyra latched onto it, driving forward with pace.

[Here come Udinese again!]

The Argentine midfielder danced past one challenge, then another, before slipping a pass to Lazzari on the left. He didn’t hesitate, sending another dangerous cross into the 18 yard box.

[Muriel is lurking in the shadows of his markers—]

Muriel rose, meeting it with a powerful header—but it smacked off the crossbar!

CLANG!!!~

[Off the bar! Udinese inches away from doubling their lead in the 38th minute!]

The rebound fell dangerously inside the 18 yard box. Pinzi was first to it, swinging a foot—

—but Reijnen threw himself in the way, blocking the shot with his chest before desperately hacking it clear.

[Heroic defending from Reijnen!]

The ball bounced toward the halfway line, where Henriksen controlled it under pressure.

He spun away from his marker, looked up, and spotted Benjamin making a run down the left.

[AZ Alkmaar aren’t done yet! They’re looking to break!]

Henriksen sent a searching ball forward. Benjamin sprinted after it, his speed taking him ahead of the last defender.

[This is promising!]

Benjamin reached the ball, cut inside, and saw Altidore making a run into the 18 yard box. He hesitated for a split second—then whipped in a low squared cross.

[It’s a great ball in—can Altidore get there?!]

The American striker lunged forward, stretching for the tap-in—but Brkić got there first, diving bravely to smother the ball at his feet!

[What a stop! Brkić denies AZ Alkmaar again!]

David shook his head. [That was inches away from being an equalizer. AZ Alkmaar are knocking on the door now]

Marco exhaled. [Both goalkeepers have been outstanding tonight. This game is on a knife’s edge]

Brkić took a deep breath before launching the ball upfield, setting Udinese on the attack once more.

The intensity refused to drop, both teams going at each other with everything they had.

[This is relentless!] David said. [Neither team is backing down! What a game we have here!]