Chapter 76: Missed Epic Showdown

Chapter 76: Missed Epic Showdown

The final score of the match was 1-2, with Udinese coming from behind, conceding first but then scoring two goals to turn the game around on the road. At the post-match press conference, Udinese's coach Francesco Guidolin lashed out at the referee, Andrea DeMarco, suggesting that the referee should go back to school for officiating courses.

Surprisingly, the home team Catania also expressed dissatisfaction with the referee's decisions. Coach De Canio believed that the referee had made serious mistakes during the game, arguing that Udinese's first goal shouldn't have stood as Kanté had fouled during the play.

Guidolin immediately countered De Canio's remarks, and the two coaches engaged in a verbal duel right there at the press conference.

Even more unexpectedly, despite both coaches blasting the referee at the press conference, the referees' association did not impose any sanctions on them. This intrigued many, as it suggested that even the referees' association acknowledged that the officiating had serious issues, implicitly admitting fault first, which might explain the absence of penalties against the fiery Udinese side. Additionally, with Catania's coach also attacking the referee, punishing Udinese then would have seemed even more unjustifiable. Issuing penalties to both coaches would hardly be practical.

The majority of Italian media, including "Milan Sport" and "Turin Sport," focused not on the refereeing but on Udinese's resilience and strength displayed during the game. They suggested that Udinese truly has the potential to compete for the Serie A championship. Despite being targeted by unfavorable refereeing, Udinese managed to score two goals and win the match, a testament to their invincible spirit as praised by the local Udinese TV commentators.

This season, it wasn't the first time Udinese had turned a game around after being behind. "Turin Sport" highlighted an image from the match where an infuriated Udinese forward rushed at the referee, only to be restrained by Bruno Fernandes. The paper commented on the 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder's commanding presence on the field, noting his cool-headed maturity. With 8 goals and 5 assists in 12 Serie A matches, his performances have been remarkable, not just on the field but also in his exceptional composure—uncommon for someone his age.

Under his leadership, Udinese achieved a commendable record of 9 wins and 3 losses in the first 12 rounds, placing them fourth in the league, close to the top teams.

As the league rounds concluded, the powerhouse Juventus reclaimed the top spot with a record of 10 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, accumulating 31 points. Roma, who had a strong start with eight consecutive wins, also performed well with 9 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, securing the second spot. Napoli's aggressive recruitment during the summer paid off, showing in their record of 9 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, totaling 28 points. Just behind them was Udinese with 27 points from 9 wins and 3 losses.

These four teams were shaping up to be the main contenders for the Serie A title this season. Teams like Inter Milan and Fiorentina, while competitive, seemed more likely to vie for a spot in the Europa League than advance to the Champions League next season.

Udinese's impressive performance wasn't confined to domestic competitions; their European campaign was equally notable. Tied with Sevilla from Spain in their Europa League group after four matches, they not only had a bright prospect of advancing but also a shot at topping their group, a stark contrast to their previous seasons' performances in Europe.

Udinese's summer signings, particularly Bruno Fernandes, who had been stellar, along with the cost-effective acquisitions of Mahrez, Kanté, and Cancelo, significantly bolstered the team. These young talents, acquired for just €1.3 million, had already exceeded expectations.

"Milan Sport" praised Udinese's new general manager Cristiano Giaretta for his excellent work over the summer.

As the international break approached, the Portuguese national team announced its squad, which, unsurprisingly, did not include Bruno despite his outstanding performances. Clearly, after Guidolin's public criticism, Paulo Bento chose not to call up Bruno. The Portuguese coach still seemed to trust his more experienced players over the in-form youngster.

For Bruno, who had anticipated this outcome, it was a chance to finally rest after nearly four months of non-stop football since joining Udinese in late July. From his debut in August in a Europa League play-off against Liberec, Bruno had played 18 games in under three months, participating in every minute of those matches—more than any other player in the same period.

Now, with no international duties, Bruno could rest and recharge, preparing for the dense schedule ahead.

During this international break, Portugal faced Sweden in two World Cup qualifying playoff matches. This set the stage for a clash between two football giants, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In the first leg in Lisbon, Ronaldo scored the only goal, while Ibrahimovic was notably absent. Four days later, the rematch in Sweden turned into a spectacular showcase of individual brilliance.

Unfortunately, Bruno had to watch these historic matches from afar, feeling the excitement but also recognizing the gap between himself and these titans. His leadership in turning the game against Catania was lauded in Italy, but it paled in comparison to the high-stakes drama unfolding in Sweden.

Perhaps missing out on witnessing this epic showdown in person was Bruno's only regret about not being part of this round of international fixtures. (End of Chapter)

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.