Chapter 45: Dual Approach
O'Reilly stood up, anxiously watching the situation unfold on the pitch.
He hadn't anticipated that Mallorca's attack would be so aggressive, especially the short right-winger. After getting past the opposing defender, he didn't cross the ball for Tristan, who was in the prime position for a first touch; instead, he boldly dribbled inward into the penalty box—if crossing posed some threat, this dribbling inside was far more dangerous...
José, similarly focused on the situation in the Leeds United penalty box, was familiar with these players. After all, when Leeds' youth revolution had taken Europe by storm, he had been a fan of the club himself. He knew that this season, Leeds' defense wasn't particularly strong. Radbe was diligent and loyal, but his skill was subpar. Woodgate, on the other hand, had been performing decently, though he still exhibited the typical flaws of an English center-back—rashness. This issue only began to subside after the costly signing of Ferdinand, but in the case of defenders, a single mistake often weighed heavier than nine successful clearances...
Seeing Ibágaça charging into the penalty area, Woodgate indeed made an impulsive decision. Though Radbe was still doing his utmost to mark Mallorca's most dangerous forward, Tristan, Woodgate had abandoned his own assignment of Eto'o and rushed forward to intercept Ibágaça...
"Damn!" O'Reilly thought to himself.
Meanwhile, José wore an expression of anticipation. Woodgate's attempt to cover was reckless. Ibágaça had indeed entered the penalty box, but his shooting angle was limited—after all, he was cutting in from near the byline, an area with almost no angle for a shot. Though Ibágaça was adjusting his path to widen the angle slightly, it was still far from ideal for a direct shot. Baty had already retreated to block his path. Given the situation, there was no need for Woodgate to abandon his mark to stop Ibágaça, since the latter could not take a direct shot. Eto'o, however, was right in front of the goal...
Despite Baty's desperate dash to cover Eto'o, a massive gap appeared in the Leeds defense at that very moment!
Without hesitation, Ibágaça struck the ball with his right foot, sending it low and hard toward the goal!
Eto'o appeared exactly where he should have been—at the edge of the small penalty area, receiving Ibágaça's pass before volleying it with his right foot!