Chapter 69: Disappointment

Chapter 69: Disappointment

Due to next summer's World Cup, this season's schedule for all major leagues is particularly tight. After Udinese's nine-match unbeaten streak came to an end with a loss away at Chievo, the fifth round of Serie A continued midweek.

On the evening of September 25th, Udinese hosted Genoa at home. It was a dull match, with both teams exhausted from playing twice a week, focusing more on defense and failing to create substantial shooting opportunities. However, in the 79th minute, an accidental event changed the course of the game. Udinese was awarded a direct free kick, which Di Natale took. The ball deflected off the opposing forward, Calleo, changing its trajectory and finding the back of the net.

Udinese's coach Guidolin felt that, although the team performed averagely, they deserved the win. He commented, "Genoa didn't leave us any space for attack, and we won under tough conditions, but it was a fair victory. Although we didn't create many scoring opportunities, I'm satisfied with our team's attitude and performance."

Genoa's coach Liverani believed a draw would have been a fair result, acknowledging that football often defies logic. He stated, "Such match outcomes often depend on chance events. Perhaps we lacked the desire and experience to attack. It's regrettable about Calleo's own goal."

On the afternoon of September 29th, Serie A's sixth round continued, with Udinese challenging Atalanta away. Despite Guidolin fielding his strongest lineup, Udinese, who had already played five matches in September and went through a two-week international break, showed clear signs of fatigue. Udinese were on the back foot throughout the first half but managed to keep their goal intact.

However, a moment of relaxation just before the half-time break led to them conceding a goal. In the 45th minute, after a corner kick taken by Zigarini, Badu's clearance didn't travel far, allowing Denis, a former Udinese player, to perfectly meet the ball with a diving header, giving the home team a 1:0 lead.

In the second half, Udinese intensified their attack and earned a penalty in the 47th minute. Just as Di Natale was set to take the kick, the assistant referee called over the main referee, and after a discussion, the penalty was rescinded due to an offside position during the build-up to the foul. This decision greatly dissatisfied Udinese, but they could not alter the referee's call.

In the 64th minute, another pass from Zigarini found Denis, who controlled the ball and scored from a tight angle, securing his brace.

Ultimately, Udinese suffered a 0:2 defeat away, marking their second loss of the season. However, they still sat fifth in the league standings, behind four undefeated teams. Roma, with six wins, topped the table, followed by Napoli and Juventus with five wins and one draw each, and Inter Milan in fourth place with four wins and two draws.

On the evening of October 30th, while people in China were looking forward to the National Day holidays, the Europa League group stage was in full swing in Europe. In the second round, Udinese hosted the Portuguese team Estoril at home. To save his main players for the upcoming weekend Serie A match, Guidolin rested veterans like Di Natale, fielding a younger lineup.

Facing an aggressive Estoril at the Friuli Stadium, Bruno refused to let his team suffer consecutive defeats. After falling behind by a goal, he helped Udinese score twice in the second half to secure a comeback victory.

However, as Sevilla triumphed 2:0 at home against Freiburg, Udinese remained second in Group H.

After two rounds, the group's dynamics were surprising. Freiburg, initially favored to advance, found themselves at the bottom with two losses, their chances of progressing now slim. Sevilla, unexpectedly, led the group with two victories, followed by Udinese with the same record.

The upcoming back-to-back matches between the two teams in late October and early November would likely determine the group leader.

Back in Italy, Udinese comfortably beat Cagliari 2:0 at home in the seventh round of Serie A, with Di Natale contributing a goal and an assist.

Following this, the international break saw Bruno being called up again by the Portuguese national team for a crucial World Cup qualifying match against Russia, battling for direct qualification to the finals in Brazil.

In the qualifiers, Russia led Group F with six wins and two losses, slightly ahead of Portugal. The upcoming matches during the international break would be critical for Portugal, hoping for Russian missteps to clinch the top spot in the group.

Unfortunately, despite hopes for an Azerbaijani upset against Russia, the match ended in a 1:1 draw, effectively ending Portugal's chances of finishing first in the group. They would have to settle for a playoff spot to keep their World Cup dreams alive.

In his limited playing time, Bruno was unable to make a significant impact.

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