Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 315: AZ Alkmaar Vs Udinese

Chapter 315: AZ Alkmaar Vs Udinese

Thursday dawned. Matchday. AFAS Stadion hummed with early arrivals, flags waving under floodlights.

Benjamin walked the pitch hours before kickoff, boots dangling from his fingers. The grass felt familiar, alive. He closed his eyes, picturing Udinese’s defense, his runs, his touches.

A groundskeeper nodded at him, smiling. Benjamin nodded back, then headed to the locker room.

In the tunnel, 6:00 PM neared. Benjamin bounced on his toes, kit crisp, shin guards tight. Altidore slapped his shoulder. "Let’s do this," he said. Benjamin grinned, feeling the fire from Liverpool reignite.

Udinese’s players lined up across, Di Natale’s eyes sharp, scanning. The referee signaled. Time to walk out.

The crowd roared, a sea of noise. Benjamin’s heart pounded, but his mind was clear.

***

The AFAS Stadion pulsed with energy, red and white scarves swaying like a tide under the floodlights.

The clock edged toward 6:00 PM, November 22, 2012, and the Europa League clash between AZ Alkmaar and Udinese Calcio was moments away.

Fans stomped their feet, their chants rolling through the stands, raw and unbroken from the Liverpool triumph two weeks prior. A draw tonight could lock AZ Alkmaar’s spot in the knockout rounds, but Udinese, wounded by recent losses, wouldn’t roll over.

In the commentary booth, Jack adjusted his headset, his voice warm and steady. [Welcome to Alkmaar, folks. What a night we’ve got ahead, Tony. AZ Alkmaar, fresh off that stunning 4-2 win over Liverpool, facing a gritty Udinese side desperate to climb Group A]

Tony leaned into his mic, a grin audible in his tone. [Oh, it’s electric down there, Jack. This crowd’s still buzzing from Benjamin’s magic last time out. But Udinese—they’ve got Di Natale, a proper fox in the 18 yard box. This won’t be easy]

The teams emerged from the tunnel, boots echoing on concrete. Martens led AZ Alkmaar’s line, eyes forward, jaw set.

Benjamin walked beside him, cracking his knuckles. Across the way, Antonio Di Natale moved with quiet menace, his gaze flicking over the pitch.

The referee’s whistle signaled, and both sides lined up, captains exchanging banners as the crowd’s roar swelled.

Jack’s voice lifted, crisp and clear. [Right, let’s get to it. The lineups are in, and we’ll start with the home side, AZ Alkmaar, in their 4-3-3]

Tony jumped in, playful. [Gertjan Verbeek’s got his lads primed, hasn’t he? Let’s hear it]

Jack read smoothly, his rhythm matching the stadium’s hum. [In goal, Esteban Alvarado. Back four—Dirk Marcellis at right-back, Donny Gorter and Nick Viergever in the center, Etiënne Reijnen on the left. Midfield engine—Viktor Elm sitting deep, Maarten Martens and Markus Henriksen pushing forward. Up top, the danger men—Benjamin Yinka Rijkaard on the left, Steven Berghuis on the right, and Josmer Volmy Altidore leading the line]

Tony chuckled. [That’s a tasty front three, Peter. Benjamin’s got Liverpool’s defense in nightmares still. And Altidore—he’s a handful when he’s on it]

Jack’s tone shifted, nodding to the bench. [Substitutes for AZ Alkmaar—Roy Beerens, Willie Overtoom, Aron Johannsson, Adam Maher, Jóhann Guðmundsson, Thomas Lam, and Mathias Johansson. Plenty of spark there if Gertjan Verbeek needs it.]

The camera panned to Udinese, their black and white kits sharp under the lights. Tony took the baton, his voice dropping slightly, respectful. [Now, Udinese. Francesco Guidolin’s gone with a 3-5-1-1, looking to clog the middle and let Di Natale do his thing]

Jack teased, [You’ve got a soft spot for the old man, don’t you?]

Tony laughed. [Who doesn’t? Right, here’s their starting eleven. In goal, Željko Brkić. Back three—Danilo Larangeira, Maurizio Domizzi, and Mehdi Benatia. Wing-backs—Dušan Basta on the right, Pablo Armero tearing up the left. Midfield—Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Willians, and Giampiero Pinzi holding it together. Up top, Diego Fabbrini supporting the main man, Antonio Di Natale]

Jack whistled low. [That’s a solid unit, Tony. Di Natale’s 35, but he’s still lethal. And those wing-backs—Basta and Armero—they’ll stretch AZ Alkmaar if they’re not careful]

Tony kept going, his voice steady. [On the bench for Udinese—Daniele Padelli in goal, then Andrea Coda, Giovanni Pasquale, Roberto Pereyra, Maicosuel, Mathias Ranégie, and Gabriel Torje. Guidolin’s got options, especially if they need to chase it late]

The players shook hands, coins tossed, and the crowd’s noise spiked as AZ Alkmaar prepared to kick off. Jack’s voice carried a grin. [Lineups done, stage set. Tony, what’s your gut saying?]

Tony leaned back, mic close. [It’s tight, Jack. AZ Alkmaar’s got momentum, but Udinese are wounded animals—dangerous. Benjamin versus Di Natale. Youth versus aged craft. I’m buzzing already]

Fweeeeee!~

The whistle blew. Altidore tapped the ball to Martens, and the game sparked to life. Benjamin hugged the left touchline, watching Basta’s position.

Di Natale drifted deep, pulling Viergever with him. The ball zipped through midfield, Elm to Henriksen, then wide to Berghuis, who cut inside but lost it to Badu’s sliding tackle.

Jack’s voice followed the flow. [Lively start, Tony. AZ Alkmaar probing, but Udinese’s midfield’s like a brick wall]

Tony nodded, eyes on the pitch. [Badu’s everywhere, isn’t he? Just snuffed out Berghuis like it’s nothing]

#3rd minute...

Udinese countered. Armero sprinted down the left, brushing past Marcellis like a gust of wind. His cross curled low, but Alvarado dove, scooping it before Di Natale could pounce.

The keeper rolled it quick to Gorter, who found Elm. The crowd urged AZ Alkmaar forward, a rolling chant building.

Jack’s tone sharpened. [That was close! Armero’s got some wheels]

Tony’s voice had an edge. [Di Natale was sniffing, Peter. Half a yard away from trouble there]

AZ Alkmaar built again. Martens dropped deep, pulling Pinzi out of shape. He flicked it to Benjamin, who took off, ball tight to his boot.

Basta tracked him, cautious after the Liverpool tapes. Benjamin feinted left—leg over tease—then tapped it right, but Danilo stepped in, muscling him off. The ball rolled out for a throw.

Tony laughed. [Basta’s not falling for it tonight, is he?]

Jack’s voice was warm. [Not yet, Tony. But Benjamin’s got that glint. He’s cooking something]

#8th minute...

Udinese pressed. Willians snapped a pass to Fabbrini, who turned and ran at Reijnen. The defender held firm, forcing a sideways ball to Pinzi.

The midfielder clipped it wide to Basta, whose cross sailed too long, drifting past Di Natale’s leap. Alvarado caught it, chest puffed, and waved his team up.

Tony exhaled. [Udinese are testing AZ Alkmaar’s shape early, aren’t they?]

John’s tone was analytical. [They are. Guidolin’s got them compact, but that final ball’s off. Di Natale needs better service]