Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 224: Against The Odds?

Chapter 224: Against The Odds?

Brkić finally sent the goal kick long, aiming for Muriel who was lingering in the halfway line.

The Colombian forward leapt, battling Viergever in the air. The ball deflected off his shoulder and landed at the feet of Pereyra.

[Udinese have space to break here, Marco! AZ Alkmaar are caught high up the pitch!]

Pereyra wasted no time. He turned sharply and spotted Muriel peeling off his marker. With a perfectly weighted pass, he sent the ball into the gap between Viergever and Reijnen.

Muriel took off with a blistering pace. Reijnen saw the danger and rushed across to cover, but Muriel had already anticipated it. With a quick shift of his body, he cut inside, leaving the AZ Alkmaar defender lunging at thin air.

[Oh, that’s brilliant from Muriel! He’s in on goal, David!]

The crowd held its breath as Muriel surged toward the penalty box. Alvarado came off his line with his arms wide, trying to close the angle.

Muriel stayed calm in pressure. He took one touch, two—then, with an effortless strike, he curled the ball past the goalkeeper’s outstretched hand and into the net of the far corner.

[GOAL! LUIS MURIEL MAKES IT 2-0!]

[David, that’s the killer blow! Udinese have soaked up all the pressure, and now they’ve struck on the counter!]

Muriel sprinted toward the corner flag with his arms outstretched, as his teammates swarmed him. The Udinese fans erupted, their voices echoing through the stadium.

Gertjan Verbeek stood frozen on the touchline with his hands on his hips, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked like it might snap.

His AZ Alkmaar side had thrown everything forward, only to be sliced apart in one devastating counterattack. He turned sharply, kicking the air in frustration before running a hand through his hair.

[Look at Gertjan Verbeek, Marco. He’s furious. He knows his team didn’t deserve that]

[Absolutely, David. AZ Alkmaar have fought like lions, but football can be cruel. One mistake, and Udinese made them pay]

On the other side, Francesco Guidolin pumped his fists, his face a mix of relief and triumph.

He turned to his staff, shouting instructions while clapping his hands. He wanted his team to stay sharp because he knew that this wasn’t over yet.

[And there’s Francesco Guidolin, David! He knows how big that goal is. But look at him—he’s not celebrating too much. He wants Udinese to stay focused]

[Smart from the manager, Marco. There’s still time left, and he doesn’t want his team getting complacent]

Gertjan Verbeek paced back toward the dugout, muttering under his breath before turning back to the pitch.

He gestured aggressively toward his players, urging them forward. The message was clear to them—keep fighting.

[David, look at Gertjan Verbeek. He’s not giving up. He’s telling his players to go again]

[That’s the only way, Marco. AZ Alkmaar have no choice now. They’ve got to take risks. It’s all or nothing]

Meanwhile, the AZ Alkmaar players stood frozen on the spot. They had been pressing, pushing, throwing everything forward—and now, in one devastating counterattack, they were two goals down.

[Heartbreaking for AZ Alkmaar, Marco. They’ve been the better team in this half, but one moment, one lapse, and Udinese have punished them]

[That’s football, David. You can dominate for 90 minutes, but if you don’t take your chances, the other team will]

As Muriel celebrated, Brkić jogged up to join his teammates with a wide grin on his face. Udinese could almost taste victory now.

For AZ Alkmaar, the mountain had just gotten even steeper to climb.

Fweeeee!~

The game restarted, but the energy on the sidelines had shifted. One manager was fighting to stay in it. The other was trying to lock the game down.

The battle wasn’t over yet.

AZ Alkmaar didn’t hesitate. The moment the referee blew the whistle for the restart, they surged forward again. The frustration of conceding fueled them and their movements became sharper, their passes quicker.

[David, look at AZ Alkmaar’s response! They’re not sitting back, they’re going for it!]

[They have to, Marco. Two goals down, a man down—this is desperation mode now]

Henriksen spread the ball wide to Benjamin, who wasted no time driving at Basta. The Udinese full-back braced himself, but Benjamin’s quick feet were too much. He cut inside, then out again, sending Basta stumbling before whipping in a cross.

The ball soared toward the far post. Altidore was there, muscling past Danilo, rising high—but Brkić was there again. He punched it away with authority, clearing the immediate danger.

[Brkić again! He’s everywhere tonight, Marco!]

[Unbelievable, David! AZ Alkmaar just can’t find a way past him!]

The ball didn’t go far, though. Victor Elm controlled it just outside the 18 yard box and rifled a shot through the crowded penalty area.

A sea of legs blocked his path, but the deflection sent the ball spinning toward the back post—

Henriksen darted in, stretching out a boot—But once again, Brkić reacted first, diving low to smother it.

[Brkić denies them again! This is getting ridiculous!]

[David, I don’t know what’s more impressive—his reflexes or his composure. He just refuses to be beaten tonight!]

Gertjan Verbeek threw his hands in the air, then turned to his bench, barking instructions. He wasn’t ready to accept defeat.

[Marco, Gertjan Verbeek is making a change! He’s throwing on another attacker!]

[That’s the only thing he can do, David. They need a goal to build moral, and they need it fast]

The AZ Alkmaar coach signaled for Johann Berg Gudmundsson. The Icelandic winger quickly stripped off his warm-up gear and sprinted toward the fourth official.

[Here comes Gudmundsson! Another attacking option for AZ Alkmaar. Gertjan Verbeek is going all in now!]

[He has to, Marco. There’s no point in playing it safe now. They need a miracle.]

Francesco Guidolin saw the change and immediately reacted. He gestured toward his midfielders, signaling them to sit deeper, to tighten up.

Udinese had what they wanted—a cushion. Now, they just had to protect it.