Chương 209: Chapter 209: Confidence
Chapter 209: Confidence
Despite Udinese and Juventus both slowing their pace in the league to conserve energy for the upcoming Champions League knockout stages, their lead in the Serie A standings remained significant. After 30 rounds, Udinese held the top spot with 25 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses, accumulating 77 points. Juventus followed in second place with 20 wins, 7 draws, and 3 losses, totaling 67 points. Lazio climbed to third with 17 wins, 4 draws, and 9 losses, earning 55 points. Roma, struggling recently, dropped to fourth with 14 wins, 12 draws, and 4 losses, collecting 54 points.
For Juventus, winning a fourth consecutive Serie A title seemed unlikely, but they had almost secured second place, which guaranteed direct entry into the next season's Champions League group stage. The third Champions League spot for next season would be contested between the two Rome clubs. Sampdoria (48 points), Napoli (47 points), and Fiorentina (46 points) had slim chances of finishing in the top three. However, Napoli and Fiorentina, still competing in the Europa League, had a chance to secure Champions League qualification by winning the tournament.
On the evening of April 15, the Stadio Friuli, with a capacity of over 41,000, was filled to the brim. Since Udinese won the Europa League and Coppa Italia last season and finished in the top three of Serie A, their home games had consistently sold out, setting a Serie A attendance record.
Before the match, Guidolin and Guardiola shook hands, exchanging few words. Guidolin had rotated his squad extensively in the previous Serie A match to conserve energy for this game against Bayern Munich.
Guidolin fielded his strongest lineup. The forward line featured Di Natale and Salah. Despite playing half an hour in the weekend match, Di Natale's form remained unaffected. Salah had also been in good form, and Guidolin was pleased with his recent luck in front of goal.
In midfield, Bruno, Kanté, Widmer, and Guilherme formed a solid quartet. The defense was comprised of Danilo and Maguire as center-backs, with Cancelo at left-back and Piris at right-back. The starting goalkeeper was Karnezis, who had solidified his position as the first-choice keeper, relegating Brkic to the bench. Despite his reduced role, Brkic, 32, had no plans to leave the club where he had spent many years.
Bayern Munich's lineup included Neuer in goal, Rafinha at right-back, Boateng and Dante as center-backs, and Bernat, a young talent signed from Valencia, at left-back. The midfield trio was captain Lahm, Alonso, and Thiago, while the forward line featured Müller, Lewandowski, and Götze.
"Guardiola wants to overwhelm us," Guidolin remarked to his assistant, Portoluzzi, who nodded in agreement.
Bayern's lineup, with a three-forward setup and a midfield featuring Lahm, Alonso, and Thiago, indicated an aggressive approach. Alonso as the sole defensive midfielder suggested a focus on attack at the expense of some defensive solidity.
Guidolin quickly identified Guardiola's strategy: Bayern aimed to dominate Udinese from the outset. "Diego," Guidolin said to his assistant, "we have a better chance of winning this match."
Portoluzzi looked surprised. The match had just begun, and their opponent was the formidable Bayern Munich. Was Guidolin being overconfident?
Meanwhile, on the visitors' bench, Guardiola smiled confidently, telling his assistant Eric ten Hag, "Everything is under control."
Udinese had prepared specific tactical responses to Bayern's possible starting lineup. Seeing Alonso as the lone defensive midfielder, the Udinese players knew their game plan.
According to Guidolin's strategy, Udinese concentrated their attack on Alonso. This wasn't a critique of Alonso's abilities; he was a formidable player. However, in Bayern's lineup, as the sole defensive midfielder, Alonso was identified as the weak point.
After about ten minutes into the match, Guidolin's plan seemed to be working. Udinese, playing at home, attacked Bayern aggressively, focusing their efforts on Alonso. Bayern appeared unprepared for Udinese's proactive and aggressive approach. Alonso struggled under the pressure, and Lahm and Thiago had to assist him, making Bayern's midfield vulnerable and unable to support their forward line effectively.
This was Guardiola's second season in charge of Bayern, and his success had established his authority within the team, built on a series of victories.
These victories had significantly boosted the confidence of both the Bayern squad and Guardiola himself. Guardiola believed that any team daring to go toe-to-toe with Bayern would ultimately suffer a heavy defeat. So, when Udinese attacked aggressively, Guardiola was initially surprised, expecting them to be more defensive. However, he then felt pleased, believing that Udinese's audacity would lead to their downfall.
Despite Udinese's relentless attacks focusing on Alonso, and Bayern's struggles, Guardiola remained unconcerned. He trusted his team to withstand the pressure and retaliate effectively once they regained their footing.
However, Guardiola overlooked a crucial point: he lacked firsthand experience against this Udinese team. This match was his first encounter with Guidolin, and while he had watched Udinese's matches against Schalke 04 and studied other games, it was akin to seeing through a fog. Until faced directly, one could not truly grasp whether Udinese was a soft opponent or a formidable challenge.
To Guardiola's surprise, his Bayern Munich team seemed unable to withstand Udinese's relentless pressure. Alonso, as the lone defensive midfielder, struggled under the concentrated attacks, forcing Lahm and Thiago to aid him. Bayern's midfield was overwhelmed and found themselves constantly defending, unable to support their forwards.
Guidolin watched from the sidelines, his fists clenching and unclenching nervously. The only thing that could ease his tension was a goal.
"Ball intercepted!"
Alonso, under pressure from Guilherme, passed to Thiago, but Widmer anticipated and intercepted the ball. Kanté then won the ball from Lahm and quickly passed to Bruno.
"Well done!" Guidolin applauded from the sidelines as the players executed their pressing strategy perfectly.
Bruno controlled the ball, looked up, and made a decisive pass.
"Bruno's through ball! Salah! Speed! Speed! Speed! Very fast! A cross! Boateng! He clears it... but it's a poor clearance... Di Natale—GOOOOOOOOL!!!"
"GOOOOOOOOL!!!! Antonio Di Natale! He scores! 1-0! Udinese leads Bayern Munich 1-0, and the scorer is Di Natale!"
"The Udinese captain, who recently tied the legendary Nordahl in the Serie A all-time scorers list, has opened the scoring today!"
As the commentators shouted in excitement, the Stadio Friuli erupted in cheers.
Di Natale ran to the corner flag with his arms outstretched, followed by his jubilant Udinese teammates.
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