章 107: Chapter 107: Rest Assured with Me!
Chapter 107: Rest Assured with Me!
On the last day of March, Udinese secured their third consecutive Serie A victory with a 1:0 win over Catania at the Friuli Stadium. Meanwhile, in another key match, Napoli drew 2:2 with Juventus at home, allowing Udinese to extend their lead to five points.
A five-point lead gives Udinese the comfort to fully focus on the upcoming Europa League quarter-finals. Benfica, their opponent this season, has been performing exceptionally well, remaining the only team in Europe still competing on four fronts, with a potential to win all four trophies.
In the Primeira Liga, Benfica is leading Sporting Lisbon by a significant seven points. With only five rounds remaining, the league title seems almost secured for them. Benfica has also been impressive in European competitions, defeating Premier League strong side Tottenham 3:1 away in the last knockout round's first leg and securing a 2:2 draw at home in the second leg to advance without worries.
Despite playing a match every three days on average, Benfica does not seem worn out. They managed a 1:0 victory in their last league match with half of their starters, demonstrating their squad depth.
Facing such an opponent is not an easy task for Udinese. However, Udinese's recent form has been solid too; after a disappointing 0:3 loss at Cagliari in early March, they have gone undefeated in their next seven matches, achieving five wins and two draws.
Similarly, Udinese retains hopes for a treble this season. They have reached the finals of the Coppa Italia, the quarter-finals of the Europa League, and are still theoretical contenders in Serie A, trailing leaders Juventus by 15 points with seven rounds to go.
The matchup between these two in-form teams is set to ignite some fireworks.
Guidolin has prepared thoroughly for this game. He rotated his squad in last weekend's match against Catania to save energy for this tough battle against Benfica.
Both teams have made significant preparations. Guidolin rotated his lineup in Serie A to save his key players for this match. Benfica did the same, resting players in their last Liga match and fielding a full-strength team today, featuring Gomes, Cardozo, and Rodrigo in attack, with Amorim controlling midfield, and Luisao and Garay solidifying the defense.
The match was fiercely competitive, with neither side giving an inch and numerous intense encounters throughout. Early in the first half, Udinese's Mahrez was injured from a tackle and substituted by Pereira. Benfica also had to make an early substitution due to Amorim getting injured, replaced by Almeida.
Benfica, having lost last year's Europa League final to Chelsea, came back this season with their sights set on the title. They dominated today at the Friuli Stadium, although they didn't manage to score in the first half. However, just four minutes into the second half, they broke the deadlock. Cardozo's powerful shot was blocked, and Salvio scored from 12 yards with a low shot to the left.
The camera focused on Guidolin, whose expression was grim, clearly unhappy with the unfavorable situation on the field.
"It looks like Udinese might be in trouble at home today," commented an Italian Sky Sports broadcaster.
"Benfica is performing exceptionally well today; Guidolin and Udinese are facing big problems," echoed a commentator from the local Udinese station.
Guidolin couldn't hear the commentators, and even if he could, he wouldn't care much about their opinions. His focus wasn't on whether they might lose at home; he was thinking about how to turn the game around and win!
Despite being behind, Guidolin's goal wasn't just to equalize but to win the match. Once the team committed to winning the Europa League, there was no turning back for Udinese!
Guidolin pondered his next move. On the field, Benfica's full-back Maxi Pereira struggled against the pace of Udinese's Muriel, eventually pulling him down as he broke through.
An idea sparked in Guidolin's mind.
"Get Peter warmed up," Guidolin instructed his assistant, who looked surprised but quickly went to notify Zelinski to warm up after confirming with Guidolin.
"We still have time; we can't give up on the match," the Udinese assistant coach advised while Zelinski warmed up.
"Who said I'm giving up on the match?" Guidolin retorted.
As Zelinski warmed up on the sidelines, Guidolin also adjusted his formation. Muriel was moved up front to partner with Dina Tale as twin strikers, Bruno shifted to right midfield, and Pereira moved to the left.
The two-striker setup soon paid dividends. Dina Tale acted as a focal point in attack, drawing defenders and creating more space for Muriel. Pereira became active on the left, along with the highly assist-capable Silva, making Udinese's attacks dangerously left-sided.
Benfica's right-back Maxi Pereira was suddenly under immense pressure, forcing other Benfica players to shift over to help, causing their defensive line to tilt to one side.
In the 81st minute, Benfica's right-side defense cracked under pressure, and Udinese quickly exploited the opening. Muriel used his skill to cut inside from the flank and shot, forcing Benfica's goalkeeper Artur to parry. Dina Tale was first to the rebound, heading it out to Muriel, who then nodded it to Bruno.
Bruno chested the ball down and volleyed a bouncing shot. The ball bounced in front of the goal, eluding Artur's dive, and bounced into the net. The Friuli Stadium erupted.
After the goal, Bruno ran to the stands, pounding his chest and shouting to reassure the fans, "With me here, rest assured!"
The young player, who had only transferred to Udinese last summer, had unwittingly become one of Udinese's spiritual leaders!
As Udinese players celebrated the goal, Guidolin quickly called over Zelinski, who had just finished warming up and was dressed for play, to give him his final tactical instructions.
In the 82nd minute, Udinese made a substitution. Kanté was taken off, and the young Polish forward Peter Zelinski came on.
Zelinski, who would turn 20 the following month, had transferred to Udinese in 2011 and made his Serie A debut in December 2012. Today, he made his debut in European competition.
Udinese reorganized again, with Alan and Pereira joining Bruno in midfield, forming a trio with Zelinski, Dina Tale, and Muriel up front.
Not only that, Udinese continued to overload their attacks on the left, putting immense pressure on Benfica's right side, which was visibly struggling.
In the 89th minute, as Muriel controlled the ball upfront, faced with Salvio's pressure, he feinted a pass to the approaching Dina Tale but suddenly cut back and accelerated, breaking through before Salvio could pull him back.
Muriel fell, and the referee's whistle blew.
Udinese quickly took the free-kick, with Alan booting the ball forward. At that moment, Bruno, who had switched places with Pereira to move to the left, received the ball. Facing the approaching Benfica defender, he spun around on the spot and then suddenly passed the ball to the right!
"Space!"
"Lots of space!"
As Bruno's pass shifted the play, Udinese, having intensely attacked the left, suddenly launched an attack from the right flank's open space.
Pereira, already making a run without the ball, successfully connected with Bruno's beautiful diagonal pass.
At the same time, Muriel, Dina Tale, Bruno, and the advancing Alan all made forward runs, suddenly putting immense pressure on Benfica's stretched defense, which was now frantic and scrambling.
"Watch their number 9!" shouted Benfica's goalkeeper Artur.
In his view, among all of Udinese's attackers, Dina Tale was still the most threatening. Pereira might cut inside and shoot, but if he chose to cross, it was most likely aimed at Dina Tale.
However, Pereira didn't send the ball into the box but instead chose to cut inside. Just as he was about to shoot, he suddenly passed the ball to a gap on the flank.
As Pereira handled the ball on the right, Benfica's defense immediately tilted to the left, leaving a gap on the right side, which quickly became an open space.
As the camera followed the ball passed by Pereira, a youthful figure appeared in view.
"It's Zelinski! Benfica has forgotten about the Polish player!"
"Peter Zelinski! The Polish youngster Guidolin brought on!" shouted the local Udinese commentator, startling many viewers in front of their TVs.
Benfica's defense immediately panicked, having focused their attention on Muriel, Bruno, Dina Tale, and Alan, and had neglected the newly substituted youngster.
Seeing Zelinski take the ball in an undefended area, Benfica's goalkeeper Artur immediately shouted, "One of you, go up!"
"Block his cross!"
(End of Chapter)
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