Chapter 169: Marching to Bernabeu

Chapter 169: Marching to Bernabeu

Guilherme's goal was the final score of the game. Although both managers made tactical changes and substitutions, neither side managed to score again. The much-anticipated Champions League group match at Friuli Stadium ended in a 3:3 draw. Thanks to the goal difference, Udinese continued to lead Group B. Although it was just a draw, when the match ended, the Udinese fans at Friuli Stadium were overjoyed, celebrating as if they had won.

After the match, Ancelotti again highlighted Bruno, acknowledging his high level of performance that evening with two goals and orchestrating Udinese's third. Without Bruno, Real Madrid would have likely secured a significant victory at Friuli Stadium. Ancelotti particularly mentioned Bruno's first goal, stating, "That was an incredible goal. To adopt such tactics at that moment requires great courage, and for Bruno to make such a decision and execute it is truly remarkable."

Guidolin agreed with Ancelotti, considering Bruno to be one of Europe's top stars. "He's a player any coach would want, always putting the team before personal interests. He's one of the most professional players I've coached, and I'm proud to have him in the team."

The weekend continued with Serie A action, and Udinese secured a 2:0 home victory against Atalanta, keeping pace with Juventus at the top of the Serie A table. In this match, Bruno didn't score or assist, halting his streak of scoring in seven consecutive matches.

Midweek, Serie A continued with round 9, and Udinese visited Fiorentina on October 29th. At the Franchi Stadium, Udinese and the home team engaged in a high-scoring match. In the 23rd minute, Bruno's precise through ball set up Di Natale to score first for Udinese, leading at Florence. However, the hosts equalized just before halftime. In the 44th minute, Borja Valero's shot caused Canizares to fumble, and the Senegalese striker Babacar, nicknamed 'little Drogba,' scored from the rebound.

The second half began with Udinese quickly taking the lead again through Bruno. Fiorentina then scored twice in the 68th and 81st minutes through Babacar and Borja, flipping the score to 3:2. In stoppage time, a Fiorentina defender fouled substitute Tairo, giving Udinese a penalty which Bruno converted, scoring his second goal and leveling the match.

Simultaneously, Juventus unexpectedly lost 1:0 at Genoa, allowing Udinese to lead Serie A with 23 points. Sampdoria also lost 0:1 to Inter Milan at Meazza Stadium, leaving Udinese as the only unbeaten team in Serie A.

However, Udinese's lead at the top was short-lived. On November 1st, Udinese faced Genoa at home in Serie A's 10th round. With a Champions League match at Bernabeu against Real Madrid just three days away, Guidolin rotated some starters, but Bruno and Di Natale still started.

At the Friuli Stadium, Udinese had a dream start. In the 22nd second, Di Natale scored off Bruno's brilliant pass. This was Di Natale's eighth Serie A goal of the season, bringing his career total to 213 goals, just three behind Altfini and Meazza.

However, Genoa quickly turned the game around with two goals within four minutes. In the 21st minute, Marchese's volley from the edge of the box equalized, and in the 24th minute, Yago Falque scored his debut Serie A goal, making it 2:1.

At the end of the first half, Udinese leveled the score. Bruno split the midfield, Di Natale pulled wide and then passed it across, with Vidmon scoring from close range.

In the 54th minute, Falque's pass set up Matri, whose shot hit the post and went in, marking his fourth consecutive away game with a goal, putting Genoa back in front. Although Bruno equalized in the 78th minute, Kucka's long-range shot in the 87th minute secured a dramatic win for Genoa.

Genoa had now beaten the league leaders in two consecutive rounds, also ending Juventus and Udinese's unbeaten runs in Serie A, earning a reputation as a giant-killer.

Udinese, now second in Serie A behind Juventus, turned their focus to their next challenge: a crucial Champions League group match at Bernabeu, potentially decisive for the top spot in Group B. Given the importance of finishing first in the group for a favorable draw in the knockout stages, this match was highly anticipated.

Madrid media hyped up the notion of revenge, recalling Udinese's European Super Cup victory over Real Madrid three months prior. Most Madrid media, however, avoided discussing revenge, considering it a minor blip in the giants' history, not a true defeat. The prevailing sentiment was clear: Real Madrid was set to assert its dominance and secure the top spot in the group.

The anticipation was high, with Bernabeu expected to be filled with over 70,000 fans, a testament to the match's significance, drawing attention similar to the fervor seen only in matches against Barcelona or in the Madrid derby. (End of Chapter)