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

Decisive goals, iconic duels, and technical gestures that defined an era: a nostalgic look at a rivalry that showcases 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 for years one of the most fascinating matches in the Italian football scene. A clash capable of intertwining unexpected salvations, battles 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 down memory lane starts on May 24, 1981. It's the last day of the 1980-81 championship, and at Friuli, Udinese is fighting to 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 ensures an unexpected salvation. The simultaneous draw of Brescia in 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 how much that day impacted the club's history.

Zico versus Maradona: an unrepeatable challenge

Just four years later, the same stadium becomes the stage for an event destined to enter the mythology of football. On May 12, 1985, the only Serie A encounter 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 game, 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, in 2010 experiences one of his brightest days against the team of his city. 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, 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 the midst of a relegation battle, 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 an overhead kick, the symbol of 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 is crucial for Udinese in the race for salvation. 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 rivalry that goes beyond the result

Udinese-Napoli is not just a Serie A match. It is an intertwining of stories, men, and moments that have surpassed mere sports data. From goals that save a season to battles between legends, to unexpected heroes, Friuli has often served as the backdrop for football pages destined to endure over time. And who knows, the next clash might 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.