Chapter 97: Adjustments to the First Team
After putting aside any unrealistic fantasies, José appeared on the training field bright and early the next day, giving loud instructions to the entire team.
Ronaldinho and Carraza had already been training together for some time. Among the new players, Eto'o was well-acquainted with his teammates, while only Capdevila and Gamara needed time to adjust to the team's atmosphere. However, José knew they were all capable players, and with the defense aging, their addition would inject much-needed energy into the team.
These five winter signings, along with Mota and Luke promoted from the youth team, were players José planned to rely on for the second half of the season. With the team eliminated from the UEFA Cup, the league became the stage for José to showcase his coaching abilities. The past few seasons in La Liga had been a competitive era, where losing a match or two wasn't a major issue, offering Mallorca a valuable opportunity to build team chemistry.
In the match against Real Sociedad on December 3rd, José fielded the following lineup:
Goalkeeper Franco; four defenders from right to left: Finiidi George, Nino, Nadal, and Olézola; midfielders Carraza, Mota, and Ngonga; and forwards Luke, Eto'o, and Ibáñez.
This 4-3-3 formation surprised Mallorca's fans, as the team was traditionally known for its defensive counter-attacks. Deploying three forwards in an away game was a rare sight.
However, as the match progressed, the commentators realized that despite the 4-3-3 formation, Mallorca still focused on defense. The three midfielders had solid defensive abilities. Ngonga, positioned on the right side of midfield, allowed George to venture forward more confidently, while Carraza's presence on the left allowed Luke to play more centrally, providing ample room for runs. Mota played a key role in organizing the attack alongside Ngonga. Although Mallorca didn't have many attacking chances, their defense remained solid and the attacking efficiency improved.
The first half ended 0-0, but Mallorca's threatening attacks far exceeded those of Real Sociedad.
In the second half, José made a substitution, bringing on Ronaldinho for Ibáñez. After this change, Luke moved to the center forward position, and Eto'o began appearing more on the right wing. Ronaldinho's presence added a greater threat to Mallorca's attack, and the trio of forwards began to show more attacking intent.