Chapter 68: First Defeat of the Season

Chapter 68: First Defeat of the Season

Alan got to the ball before anyone else and immediately passed it to Gabriel Silva, who was coming up the field. The Brazilian trio showed great understanding during this counter-attack. Naldo covered for his younger compatriot Silva, and Alan controlled the ball skillfully before quickly passing it to Silva, who had just been embarrassed by a dribble.

The young Brazilian defender, having been easily passed earlier, demonstrated his skills on the offensive end. He looked up and launched a long diagonal pass that perfectly found Udinese's forward and captain, Di Natale.

"Counterattack! This is a counterattack chance for Udinese!"

Freiburg's center back, Pavel Komac, contested the header with Di Natale, but the experienced 33-year-old Czech immediately realized he was no match for the crafty Italian, who had anticipated the ball's trajectory better and jumped with all his might to get there first.

"Bruno!" shouted Di Natale.

It was a header to set up the play!

Bruno rushed forward, didn't bother to control the ball but instead volleyed it forward, sending it into the attacking half.

Then, a blur of blue zipped past. It was Muriel, surging forward with impressive speed.

Freiburg's defensive midfielder, Julian Schuster, quickly turned to chase the ball, thinking he could reach it before Muriel. But to his shock, the Colombian, who started several meters behind, caught up in an instant.

Schuster, alarmed, didn't hesitate and went to ground with a sliding tackle.

"Muriel! Such speed! Schuster! A slide tackle! He's directed the ball back towards his own goalkeeper!" shouted the German commentator, recognizing the veteran's experience. "Incredible! The Colombian's speed! It's even faster!"

As everyone thought Udinese's attack was over and the ball would be cleared by Freiburg's goalkeeper Baumann, the blue figure kept accelerating, overtaking Schuster who had just slid to pass the ball and showing no signs of slowing down.

Baumann, the Freiburg goalkeeper, panicked as he saw the blue figure rapidly approaching. He rushed forward, swinging his right foot to clear the ball. Fearing a direct hit on Muriel that could rebound towards the goal, Baumann instead swept the ball towards the sideline, aiming to send it out for a throw-in and temporarily defuse the crisis.

At that moment, Muriel slid to the ground in a tackle!

"Muriel! A sliding shot!" "Just missed! Wait!"

Muriel's right foot just grazed the ball swept away by Baumann, slowing it down and changing its direction towards the corner flag.

"Bruno Fernandes!" roared the Portuguese commentator.

After a stunning no-touch volley, Bruno, who had been sprinting forward, reached the ball just before it crossed the baseline. He hooked it back in, adjusted slightly, and without any hesitation, swung his left foot to send the ball towards the goal.

The ball soared through the air, and as Baumann, who had just scrambled to his feet, stretched out his arms, the ball passed just over his waist.

In the middle, Di Natale sprinted forward, with Pavel Komac alongside him, both tugging at each other, neither managing to touch the ball.

"It's a pity..." sighed the Italian commentator, then suddenly exclaimed, "At the far post! Maxsuel!"

Maxsuel and Freiburg's fullback, Christian Günter, raced as if sprinting to a finish line. Maxsuel gained the edge at the last moment, throwing his body forward.

The ball first hit his knee, then bounced onto his chest, and finally, along with Maxsuel propelled by momentum, rolled into the net.

"GOOOOOOOOOOOLLLL!!!!" The Italian commentator leapt up, shouting, "Goal! Udinese takes the lead again 2:1! What a swift counterattack!" "At the 74th minute, Bruno Fernandes assists Maxsuel to flip the score!"

Maxsuel got up from the net and rushed towards Bruno, who had assisted him, running, jumping, and shouting.

Behind him, Udinese players like Di Natale, Alan, Muriel, Silva, and Cancelo followed in excitement.

Although Muriel felt some disappointment for not scoring himself, seeing his efforts create the goal opportunity brought him more joy.

Near the sideline, Bruno jumped three times, waving his arms, landed, raised his hands high, and shouted to the approaching Maxsuel, "Well done!"

The Italian commentator noted, "This goal owes much to Muriel. It was his effort that won this for Udinese. If not for him, Udinese's attack would have ended with Schuster's clearance." "Bruno's assist was brilliant, this kid's passes are cunning, and the goalkeeper was powerless!" the Portuguese commentator continued to praise Bruno.

Udinese coach Guidolin praised Muriel from the sidelines, shouting his name and clapping, "Luis! Well done!!" Bruno was in good form and didn't need much attention, but Muriel was the player needing care and encouragement. And indeed, it was Muriel's persistent sprint that pressured the defenders and goalkeeper, allowing for Bruno's crucial assist.

As Freiburg's coach saw his team concede, he immediately made substitutions, bringing on another striker to try to equalize in the last twenty minutes. However, Udinese's defense, led by Cancelo and Alan, remained solid. The match ended 2:1 in favor of Udinese, who executed a perfect counterattack to secure their first three points of the Europa League season.