Twenty years ago, Udinese faced one of the biggest matches in the club's history. Going into the last day of the season, Udinese were fourth on 61 points with Sampdoria fifth on 60. Finishing ahead of the Blucerchiati would mean a first-ever Champions League qualification for Udinese. They were playing AC Milan, beaten by Liverpool in the Champions League final just a few days earlier.
Luciano Spalletti's side needed to win to be sure, or hope that Sampdoria didn't obtain a result at Bologna. The goal took a long time to come but David Di Michele eventually settled the nerves a little when broke he deadlock shortly before the hour mark, finishing through Dida's legs.
However, five minutes from time a mishit cross by Serginho found its way past a young Samir Handanovic and suddenly it was all on a knife edge again, with Bologna and Sampdoria still goalless at the Stadio Dall'Ara.
It finished 1-1 at the Stadio Friuli but the game was still being playing in Bologna. The players all gathered around the radio waiting for the final whistle. When it finally came, the huddle of bodies exploded with joy: Udinese were in the Champions League!
In August, under new coach Serse Cosmi, Udinese overcame the final obstacle by beating Sporting CP in the qualifying round. They went on to meet Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Panathinaikos in the group stage and came within a whisker of reaching the last 16 – their hopes vanishing in the final minutes of the last match against Barcelona. A bitter end to a historic first time.
Udinese 1-1 Milan (0-0)
Scorers: Di Michele 56, Serginho 85.
Udinese: Handanovic; Kroldrup, Bertotto (cap.), Felipe; Zenoni, Pazienza, Pinzi (Muntari 64), Pizarro (Di Natale 85), Pieri; Di Michele (Mauri 80), Iaquinta.
Subs not used: Bonaiuti, Sensini, Belleri, Fava Passaro.
Coach: Spalletti.
AC Milan: Dida; Simic, Nesta, Kaladze, Pancaro; Brocchi (cap.), Pirlo (Seedorf 64), Dhorasoo (Gattuso 70), Serginho; Crespo (Kaka 64), Inzaghi.
Subs not used: Abbiati, Digao, Esajas, Bloudek.
Coach: Ancelotti.