Chapter 170: A Goal at the Bernabéu

Chapter 170: A Goal at the Bernabéu

On the evening of November 3, 2014, the Udinese team arrived in Madrid as they prepared for their UEFA Champions League group stage clash in the fourth round against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu Stadium.

On the morning of November 4, Real Madrid's head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, and Udinese's coach, Francesco Guidolin, attended the pre-match press conference together.

"Udinese is a respectable team, but for Real Madrid, victory is our only goal," Ancelotti stated directly.

"Real Madrid is one of Spain and Europe's greatest teams, and playing at the Bernabéu is a fantastic experience. Real Madrid boasts many incredible players, and Coach Ancelotti is a highly successful champion as well..." Guidolin began, prompting smiles and nods from the Madrid journalists. This was exactly what they expected—the usual respectful remarks visiting coaches make at the Bernabéu, especially from smaller teams, for whom playing here is almost a pilgrimage.

But to their surprise, Guidolin paused and then continued with a sudden shift in tone: "I admire Real Madrid, but three months ago, we defeated them to win the UEFA Super Cup. Two weeks ago, we drew with them at home. This gives me confidence. We're not here on a pilgrimage; we're here to experience something great at the Bernabéu."

"Are you saying you plan to beat Real Madrid here at the Bernabéu?" a reporter asked immediately.

"No one dislikes winning, and no one surrenders without a fight," Guidolin replied with a smile. "I like to win."

At 8:40 p.m. Madrid time, on November 4, the noise from the crowd filled the stands at the Bernabéu as both teams entered the field. The stadium's giant screen displayed the starting lineups for both sides.

Starting lineup for Real Madrid:

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (#1)

Defense: Álvaro Arbeloa (#17), Raphaël Varane (#2), Sergio Ramos (#4), Marcelo (#12)

Midfield: Toni Kroos (#8), Luka Modrić (#19), James Rodríguez (#10)

Forwards: Isco (#23), Cristiano Ronaldo (#7), Karim Benzema (#9)

Starting lineup for Udinese:

Goalkeeper: Orestis Karnezis (#31)

Defense: Iván Piris (#89), Danilo (#5), Molla Wague (#11), João Cancelo (#2)

Midfield: N'Golo Kanté (#4), Allan (#6), Bruno Fernandes (#8), Guilherme (#19), Panagiotis Kone (#27)

Forward: Antonio Di Natale (#10)

Udinese's captain, Di Natale, won the coin toss against Casillas, granting Udinese the choice of ends. Real Madrid would kick off.

After the referee and assistants confirmed the time, the whistle blew, and the fourth-round match of the 2014-2015 Champions League group stage between Real Madrid and Udinese officially began.

Guidolin had carefully analyzed Real Madrid's recent matches, particularly taking into account the players available. With Portuguese center-back Pepe injured, he concluded that Real Madrid's likely center-back pairing would be Ramos and the young Frenchman Varane. The right-back would probably be the veteran Arbeloa, while Marcelo would play on the left.

Real Madrid's defense was never known for being particularly solid. With Arbeloa aging and Marcelo stronger in attack than defense, Udinese could focus on either wing, using Guilherme on the left or Kone on the right for an effective attack.

In simpler terms, Guidolin's plan was clear: it would be difficult to keep Real Madrid from scoring, but he had confidence in his team's offensive capability. So why not take Real Madrid head-on?

Despite most media heavily favoring Real Madrid, Guidolin knew his team's capabilities and saw the potential. For Udinese, advancing to the knockout stage was the primary goal; aiming for first place was a bonus, but not essential. Real Madrid had everything to lose—not Udinese.

As the game began, the pace was electric, with both teams pressing and countering in rapid succession.

"Guilherme! Beautiful move! He's past Arbeloa!"

"Cancelo! Switch positions! Cross!"

"Antonio Di Natale!"

"An amazing save! Casillas with a world-class block!"

After making the save, Casillas was furious, shouting at Varane, who had clearly been too slow to cover Di Natale's surge.

Guidolin clapped from the sidelines, celebrating his team's bold offensive drive. Young players like Guilherme and Cancelo, fiercely pushing down the left, were overwhelming Arbeloa, showing exactly why Guidolin had reassigned Cancelo to the left—to exploit Real Madrid's defensive weaknesses.

In Guidolin's eyes, the veteran Arbeloa was the weak link in Real Madrid's defense.

Udinese had won a corner.

Guilherme launched the corner into the box, where Di Natale attempted a header under pressure from Varane but couldn't get enough power on it. Casillas caught the ball and immediately threw it out to James Rodríguez to initiate a counterattack.

James swiftly passed to Kroos, who evaded Bruno Fernandes with a quick pullback, sending the ball forward to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo seemed invigorated and ready to perform.

"Beautiful, Cristiano Ronaldo!"

Ronaldo dribbled past Guilherme with a signature stepover. Isco waved for the ball, but Ronaldo ignored him, pushing down the sideline. Allan rushed in to defend him, forcing Udinese's left-center-back Wague to shift over, covering for Cancelo who had moved upfield earlier.

"Pass it! Just pass it!" shouted Ancelotti from the sideline, waving frantically.

With Udinese's defense skewed left, an opportunity awaited on the opposite side. Finally, with Isco's arm nearly numb from waving, Ronaldo realized he could no longer advance and passed the ball.

Just as Isco prepared to receive, a blue blur shot forward, intercepting the ball mid-path.

It was Kanté! A perfectly timed steal, prompting the commentator to exclaim, "Kanté! Where did he come from? A fantastic interception!"

Kanté then advanced, immediately passing to Bruno before retreating. Always unobtrusive, he performed the vital, gritty work.

Bruno surged forward, muscling past James before sending a direct through ball to Di Natale. Di Natale skillfully controlled it, aiming to outmaneuver Kroos while pulling a Real Madrid defender with him to create an opportunity for Kone on the right.

With a nimble feint and quick change of direction, Di Natale dodged Kroos, but the Real Madrid midfielder managed to get a trailing foot on the ball, bouncing it upwards.

Yet Udinese's attack continued.

Di Natale, who had just turned 37, reacted swiftly, flicking the ball with his right foot before pivoting and shielding Kroos, then passing to the waiting Kone.

Kone accelerated down the right, with Varane closing in. But a simple burst of speed left Varane behind.

"He's through!"

"Varane's been beaten effortlessly!"

With Kone unopposed, he sent a clean cross into the box.

"Bruno Fernandes!!!!!"

Dressed in his iconic blue #8, Bruno powered through, brushing aside Arbeloa and beating Ramos to the ball, launching a thunderous shot on goal. Casillas dived with all his might, but the ball flew past him and smashed into the net.

"GOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!"

"Bruno Fernandes—a brilliant strike! What power!!"

The ball rattled the net as Bruno clenched his fist and roared toward the sky. At his feet lay one of the world's finest goalkeepers, Iker Casillas, defeated.

(End of Chapter)