Chapter 31: Hat Trick
"Real Mallorca have completed the comeback... This goal came in the 6th minute of the second half, and they've played quite well during this time! Despite conceding a goal to Monaco just over a minute into the game, Mallorca has dominated since then, leaving Monaco with no chance to retaliate, scoring twice off set pieces! However, a 2-1 lead is not safe for Mallorca; even if they win with this score, they'll face much stronger pressure away from home."
"Even so, Mallorca's performance is surprising... Monaco is currently the leader of Ligue 1, while Mallorca had just escaped the bottom of La Liga. To take the lead in such a difficult situation is no small feat. But maybe we shouldn't be so shocked, because last season, Mallorca reached the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup under Cooper's leadership, and although Cooper is no longer at Mallorca this season, the newly appointed José seems to have found the team's old style. After a series of victories in the league, Mallorca is also showing their previous form in the UEFA Cup!"
Puel furrowed his brow, watching as the game resumed—he was now in a dilemma. Should he reinforce the defense? Mallorca's direct and reckless dribbling attacks that draw fouls are almost Monaco's defensive kryptonite. Both center-backs are aggressive, but the midfielders are not strong enough, and continuing to defend would just tire them out more.
But if he pushed forward with an attack, Mallorca could launch a counterattack. That would make Monaco's defense vulnerable to fast breaks—just from the first half, Eto'o had already shown Puel the individual ability of Mallorca's forward.
At this moment, Puel had no other choice.
"Push forward! Attack, score as many goals as possible!" Puel stood up and shouted from the sidelines.
José remained calmly seated, not even glancing at Puel, a slight smile forming at the corner of his mouth.
So far, all of Monaco's responses had been exactly as José had predicted.
He discreetly made a gesture to Natal, who nodded understandingly, stood up, and walked to the sideline, signaling for the team to regroup.
The Mallorca players understood the gesture and nodded, and immediately, the entire team's strategy shifted dramatically!
Full retreat!