Chapter 86: A Brilliant Tactical Adjustment
At this moment, Mallorca's situation bears a striking resemblance to Inter Milan's second season after their historic treble-winning campaign.
To put it simply, they have the mindset of a champion, but no longer the strength of one.
Aging squad, excessive fatigue from last season, and a failure to properly reinforce the team—on the contrary, they even sold some key players. Meanwhile, their opponents now treat them like reigning UEFA Cup champions, approaching every match with heightened intensity. Worst of all, Mallorca no longer possesses the strength they had last season.
At first glance, the squad hasn't changed much, but the reality is different. The defense has weakened due to age and shifting mentalities, while the attack has suffered from the departure of two strikers. If José isn't careful, Mallorca could very well stumble into disaster.
So, after roughly assessing the current state of his players, José began contemplating how to adjust his tactics. His decision? Strengthen the attack. If the team lacks the clinical finishers they had before, then they'll just have to overwhelm the opposition's defense with sheer attacking force!
Of course, before implementing this approach, he needed to reignite his players' fighting spirit and sense of urgency.
The Locker Room Speech
José didn't speak immediately upon entering the locker room. Instead, he waited for the players' heavy breathing to gradually steady before he finally began.
"I remember something I said the first time I coached this team last season. I wonder if any of you still recall it."
Hearing this, the players who had been part of the squad last season began to think back, while the newer members looked puzzled.
José didn't leave them in suspense and continued, "I was trying to figure out how to quickly let my players understand what kind of coach I was. And the method I chose was simple—I told you all that if we didn't win that game, I would resign immediately.