Chapter 40: Help Us Win a European Trophy
When the final whistle blew, signaling the end of the match, Galatasaray fans lowered their flags in defeat. In the subsequent game, Mallorca, relentless and driven by physical superiority, continued their brutal attack on Galatasaray. As the match neared its end, Ibargasa received the ball, dribbled sideways, and suddenly fired a shot. The ball sliced through the crowded penalty area and flew into the bottom corner of the net. Tafarel couldn't save it—3-0!
The final result was a humiliating 3-0 loss for Galatasaray at home, despite dominating possession and shots on goal. This was their second-worst loss of the season! While it didn't match the disastrous 5-0 defeat to Chelsea in the group stage, which didn't eliminate their chances of progressing, this 3-0 loss essentially sealed their fate—Galatasaray's European journey this season would end in a week!
For Galatasaray, a team with a significant domestic advantage, the European stage was their main focus, and they were desperate for honor. However, their path to Europe had been brutally interrupted by a team recently fighting relegation in La Liga!
The frustration of the Galatasaray fans boiled over that night, and they staged a massive protest. But to their surprise, they couldn't find a single Mallorca fan. After the match, Mallorca's supporters, under the guidance of their group leaders, quietly left Istanbul, and the entire Mallorca squad also snuck away in the night, leaving a place that neither welcomed nor suited them...
"These guys really have no class," some players grumbled on the flight back to Mallorca.
José just smiled. He was very familiar with the behavior of Turkish fans. A relatively fanatical group often does things that go against the spirit of sportsmanship. To all of Europe, Turkey was like Europe's South Korea—fierce, determined, but often petty and poor at handling loss...
But José didn't care. After all, he wouldn't be facing Turkish teams very often. If they met again, he'd just be cautious. Moreover, given the nature of Turkish fans, they'd likely form many rivalries, without specifically targeting Mallorca.
Back in Mallorca, the team was greeted warmly by their fans. Recently, it had been a time of joy for them—the team had escaped the relegation zone, a major victory, and they were also securing wins in the UEFA Cup, rekindling the dreams of last season!
"Help us win a European trophy, José!" Many Mallorca fans displayed large banners. These signs reflected their deepest wishes—European glory. The club had never won a European championship trophy. Domestically, they held the King's Cup and the Super Cup. While they hadn't won the league title, these honors gave the fans some comfort. But in Europe, their trophy case was bare, almost pitiful...