On 4 October 2012, in the Anfield Road stadium, Liverpool hosts Udinese for the second round of the Europa League group stage. The Bianconeri lost the play-off for the Champions League against Braga – due to the unfortunate penalty with the spoon kicked by Maicosuel – but they are a high-level team, having reached third place in the standings twice in a row. So the match is balanced, despite the Kop singing at the top of their lungs before the start.
The first half was on the English side, because at exactly the halfway point they took the lead with a goal from Jonjo Shelvey, then managing to control without too much trouble. In the second half everything changed, with Di Natale scoring the equalizer with a flat shot that ended up at the top corner where Pepe Reina just couldn’t reach. Guidolin’s team takes the field, with Benatia scoring the second goal with a header, helped by the fratricidal deflection of the Uruguayan Coates. Liverpool skidded and it was Pasquale who scored the hat trick, with a shot from 20 metres, after a collective action finished off by a backward pass from Di Natale.
The dream becomes reality, because the 2-3 scored by Luis Suarez is of little use.
This is Udinese’s lineup.
Brkic, Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi; Faraoni, Badu, Pinzi (70′ Willians), Asamoah, Armero (46′ Lazzari); Pereyra; Di Natale (86′ Ranegie).
Available: Padelli, Coda, Heurtaux, Fabbrini.
Trainer: Guidolin.