Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 321: Two-up

Chapter 321: Two-up

The AFAS Stadion crackled with tension, the crowd’s chants a relentless pulse as the 70th minute ticked over.

The scoreboard held at 1-1, AZ Alkmaar and Udinese locked in a fierce Europa League duel. The floodlights gleamed, the slick pitch alive with every sprint, every tackle.

AZ Alkmaar pushed forward. Maher scooped a loose ball, flicking it to Benjamin. The winger darted down the left, eyes fixed on Basta.

The Udinese wing-back braced, but Benjamin feinted right, then chopped left with a Snake Bite, leaving Basta lunging. The crowd erupted, scarves swirling.

[Tony’s voice soared. Benjamin’s got him again! Basta’s chasing shadows!]

[Jack clapped, mic crackling. He’s unstoppable, Tony! Udinese can’t cope!]

Benjamin slipped it to Martens, who darted inside, drawing Pinzi out. The captain rolled it back to Maher, hovering near the 18 yard box. Maher took a touch, spotting Altidore breaking free from Danilo’s grip.

The pass was crisp, threading through Badu’s legs. Altidore controlled it, spun, and struck it low—past Brkić’s dive, kissing the inside of the post before rippling the net.

GOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!~

The stadium exploded, fans leaping, voices breaking. Altidore sprinted to the corner, arms wide, teammates piling on. Gertjan Verbeek punched the air, his shout lost in the roar.

[Tony shouted. Goal! Altidore! AZ Alkmaar take the lead!]

[Jack roared, mic shaking. What a finish, Tony! He’s buried it—Brkić’s got no chance!]

The scoreboard flicked to 2-1, 72th minute. Guidolin kicked the turf, barking at his defenders.

Danilo shook his head, grass staining his shorts. Brkić slapped the post, yelling at no one. The home fans sang, a wall of noise, red and white scarves a blur.

[Jack chuckled, buzzing. That’s been coming, Tony. Maher’s pass, Altidore’s turn—pure class!]

[Tony exhaled, warm. They’ve earned it, Jack. Benjamin started it, Altidore finished it. AZ Alkmaar are flying!]

Udinese restarted, rattled but urgent. Pinzi passed short to Badu, who drove forward, shrugging off Elm’s press. He fed Maicosuel, who sprinted past Reijnen and crossed low.

Di Natale darted in, but Viergever slid, the ball smacking his shin and rolling out. The veteran striker spun, hands on hips, muttering.

[Jack whistled. Viergever’s a hero, Tony! Di Natale was lurking!]

[Tony’s voice tightened. He’s got to be, Jack. Udinese aren’t done yet.]

AZ Alkmaar kept pushing. Henriksen won a loose ball, firing it to Benjamin. The winger took on Basta again, chopping right with a La Croqueta. His shot was fierce, but Brkić dove, palming it wide. The corner came—Benjamin’s delivery curled, but Domizzi headed clear.

[Tony gasped. Brkić again! He’s keeping Udinese alive!]

[Jack’s tone buzzed. Six saves, Tony! He’s a one-man wall!]

Udinese countered. Armero tore down the left, outpacing Marcellis. His cross was sharp, Di Natale peeling off Gorter.

The striker’s volley was low, but Alvarado sprawled, gloving it wide. The corner fizzled—Reijnen headed clear.

[Jack’s voice sharpened. Di Natale’s still sniffing, Tony. Alvarado’s standing tall!]

[Tony exhaled. It’s a battle, Jack. Both keepers are stealing the show.]

#77th minute.

Gertjan Verbeek signaled a change, waving Jóhann Guðmundsson on for Martens. The fresh winger sprinted in, instantly chasing a pass from Maher.

He crossed low, but Benatia intercepted, booting it to Pinzi. The midfielder broke, feeding Maicosuel, but Viergever’s tackle was clean, sparking an AZ Alkmaar counter.

[Tony’s voice lifted. AZ are hungry, Jack! They want another!]

[Jack’s tone matched him. They’re smelling blood, Tony. Udinese are creaking!]

AZ Alkmaar built patiently. Elm passed to Maher, who slipped it to Altidore. The striker held off Danilo, laying it back to Henriksen. The midfielder’s shot sailed high, clipping the boards. The crowd groaned, but their chants didn’t falter.

[Jack chuckled. Henriksen’s trying, but his radar’s off now.]

[Tony’s tone stayed hopeful. They’re in control, Jack. Udinese are hanging on.]

Udinese threw everything forward. Badu scooped a pass to Di Natale, who spun past Reijnen, 25 yards out. His shot curled, but Alvarado leaped, tipping it over.

The corner came—Danilo rose, but Gorter headed clear, sparking an AZ Alkmaar break. Benjamin sprinted, but Domizzi slid, forcing a throw.

[Jack whistled. Alvarado’s a rock, Tony! Di Natale can’t break him!]

[Tony’s voice was tense. He’s keeping AZ Alkmaar ahead, Jack. Massive save!]

The crowd roared, urging AZ Alkmaar to hold firm. Benjamin picked up a loose ball, chopping past Willians with a step-over. He crossed low, but Benatia intercepted, rolling it to Brkić. The keeper took his time, slowing the game.

[Tony sighed. AZ Alkmaar are managing this, Jack. They’re so close to the win.]

[Jack’s voice softened. Smart play, Tony. They’re eating the clock.]

Udinese pushed. Pinzi fired a long ball to Maicosuel, who darted past Marcellis. His cross was sharp, Di Natale leaping, but Viergever matched him, heading clear.

The ball landed with Badu, who shot from 30 yards. Alvarado caught it, chest puffed, waving his team up.

[Jack’s tone sharpened. Badu’s trying, but Alvarado’s got his number.]

[Tony’s voice was hopeful. AZ Alkmaar are holding, Jack. They’ve got this!]

#79th minute.

AZ Alkmaar attacked. Maher scooped a pass to Guðmundsson, who sprinted down the right. His cross was low, but Domizzi slid, deflecting it out.

The throw went to Henriksen, who fired it to Altidore. The striker turned, but Danilo muscled him off, the ball rolling to Brkić.

***

The AFAS Stadion buzzed with electric anticipation, the crowd’s chants a relentless roar as the 80th minute ticked over.

AZ Alkmaar clung to their 2-1 lead, Altidore’s strike still ringing, but Udinese hunted an equalizer with desperate intensity. The floodlights gleamed off the slick pitch, every sprint and tackle a spark in the November chill.

AZ Alkmaar pressed for a third. Elm scooped a loose ball, flicking it to Maher. The midfielder darted forward, eyes scanning, and slipped it wide to Benjamin.

The winger took on Basta, feinting left, then chopping right after a couple leg-overs. Basta lunged, boots skidding, but Benjamin was gone, sprinting toward the 18 yard box.

[Tony’s voice surged. Benjamin’s at it again! He’s leaving Basta for dead!]

[Jack clapped, mic crackling. He’s a one-man wrecking crew, Tony! Udinese can’t stop him!]