Udinese v Napoli: five legendary clashes and unforgettable moments | OneFootball

Decisive goals, iconic duels, and technical gestures that have marked an era: a nostalgic look at a clash capable of showcasing the most authentic side of Italian football.

Udinese-Napoli, five legendary matches: salvation goals, superstars, and eternal moments from Friuli

Udinese-Napoli, often associated today with tensions and off-field chronicles, has been one of the most fascinating matches in the Italian football scene for years. A confrontation capable of intertwining unexpected salvations, clashes between absolute legends, and moments of pure technical beauty. Five encounters, more than others, have written indelible pages of this rivalry, leaving a mark not only in the results but in the collective memory of the fans.

The goal that saved Udinese and changed a story

The journey into memory starts on May 24, 1981. It's the last day of the 1980-81 championship, and at Friuli, Udinese is fighting for its stay in Serie A. On the bench is Enzo Ferrari, a central figure of that black-and-white era. Two minutes from the end, Manuel Gerolin scores the 2-1 goal that means an unexpected salvation. The simultaneous draw of Brescia at Ascoli turns the standings at the last breath. At the final whistle, President Sanson dives among the fans in the stands, in a scene that has become iconic. Tomorrow will be the first Udinese-Napoli without Enzo Ferrari, reminding us of how much that day impacted the club's history.

Zico vs. Maradona: an unrepeatable duel

Just four years later, the same stadium becomes the stage for an event destined to enter football mythology. On May 12, 1985, the only Serie A confrontation between Zico and Diego Armando Maradona takes place. Udinese-Napoli ends 2-2: Galparoli and De Agostini for the Friulians, a brace from Maradona for the Azzurri. Diego's first goal comes from a free kick, the second by hand. At the end of the match, Zico explodes in the locker room tunnel, targets referee Pirandola, and is suspended for six matches. Years later, he would say with bitter irony: "That day Maradona was training for the 1986 Mexico World Cup."

Di Natale, the Neapolitan who punished Napoli

From the clash between two legendary number tens, we move to someone who wrote Udinese's history. Totò Di Natale, Neapolitan by birth but an absolute symbol of the Friulians, experiences one of his brightest days against his hometown team in 2010. In two home games, he scores six goals against Napoli. On November 28, 2010, under pouring rain, he achieves a memorable hat-trick: a penalty, a goal from a corner kick, and especially a right-footed shot from a standstill into the top corner, a technical gesture that remains in the archives of Italian football. That day Friuli shone despite the downpour.

Bruno Fernandes and the surprise of 2016

On April 3, 2016, Udinese, in a full fight to avoid relegation, surprises Maurizio Sarri's Napoli. The absolute protagonist is a young Bruno Fernandes, who scores a brace foreshadowing the international career to come. One of the goals comes from a bicycle kick, symbolizing a match played without fear. The match ends 3-1, with goals from Higuain and Thereau completing the scoreline.

Success and the point that defines a season

The latest chapter of this nostalgic look is very recent. On May 6, 2024, Isaac Success scores his only goal of the season precisely against Napoli, securing a 1-1 draw that earns Udinese a crucial point in the salvation race. A draw that, in the end, weighs as much as Davis's goal in Frosinone. Today, the team led by Runjaic is far from the red zone, but with a challenging schedule, every point remains precious.

A clash that goes beyond the result

Udinese-Napoli is not just a Serie A match. It's an intertwining of stories, men, and moments that have surpassed mere sports data. From goals that save a season to clashes between legends, to unexpected heroes, Friuli has often served as the backdrop for football pages destined to last over time. And who knows, maybe the next clash could add a sixth wonder to an already rich history.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.