A header by Oliver Bierhoff, one like many of his, but much more important: on 21 December 1997, Alberto Zaccheroni’s Udinese faced and beat Inter thanks to a goal by the German player in the 91st minute. It was a magical moment, as with that victory Udinese were just four points off the top of the table.
On a cold day at what was then the Stadio Friuli, Gigi Simoni’s Inter arrived in Udine as the league's unbeaten leaders, but Udinese was ready to do something special. In the first half, Inter came close to scoring multiple times, but Udinese were always able to respond, mostly driven by their wing-backs. In the second half, Zaccheroni’s team showed all their dynamism and intensity and were able to dominate the game. They created many chances but failed to capitalise. The score remained 0-0 until the 91st minute, when Bierhoff headed in Jonathan Bachini’s cross and made the stadium go wild. BY the final whistle, Udinese were in third place in the table, just four points off the top.
Udinese finished third that season, the club’s best result in recent history, and Oliver Bierhoff would go on to become the season’s top scorer with 27 goals. A team and a centre forward that will always remain a key part of Udinese history.
Udinese 1-0 Inter (HT: 0-0)
Scorers: Bierhoff (U) 91
Udinese: Turci; Pierini, Bertotto, Calori; Helveg, Statuto (Walem 75), Giannichedda, Bachini; Poggi (Locatelli 71), Bierhoff, Amoroso (Jorgensen 86).
Subs not used: Frezzolini, Gargo, Zanchi, Cappioli.
Coach: Zaccheroni.
Coach: Zaccheroni.
Inter: Pagliuca; Sartor, Bergomi, Galante, West; Zanetti, Ze Elias (Zamorano 46), Winter, Cauet (Berti 89); Djorkaeff, Branca (Colonnese 82).
Subs not used: Barsotti, Torretta, Mazzantini, Sgrigna.
Coach: Simoni.
Coach: Simoni.