Chapter 111: A Transformed Mallorca
Moreno had just equalized with a superb strike, and almost immediately, Ronaldinho—often affectionately called "Little Ron"—scored to restore the lead. This rapid-fire exchange of goals had everyone on the edge of their seats, and yet no one could have predicted that the goal fest was only just beginning.
Not long after, the Alavés players, who had been buoyed by their own brief moments of success, began to look disheartened. In contrast, the Mallorca players surged forward with high spirits, launching a vigorous press in midfield that quickly won them possession.
The ball was intercepted by Karaze. Although he was deployed as a left winger, in this match he had emerged as one of the most critical defensive sentinels in midfield. In many respects, Coach José Alemani's decision to play Karaze on the left flank was akin to the later tactical experiments at AC Milan, where Gattuso was used as a right winger—even though his nominal role was on the wing, he was essentially acting as a defensive midfielder, providing a protective shield for the playmaker behind.
Immediately after winning the ball, Karaze swung it to Capdevila. Mallorca's main attacking thrust at that moment was clearly coming from the left side—not only to neutralize Alavés' Contrã but also to exploit the space created behind him once he pushed forward to join the attack. Capdevila took control and sprinted down the flank. As Contrã chased relentlessly from behind, the gap between them narrowed. At the precise moment Contrã began to close in, Capdevila released a perfectly weighted half-volley that traced a graceful arc toward the edge of the Alavés penalty area.
At that very moment, Ronaldinho and Alavés defender Torres sprinted toward the ball's projected landing spot. Torres, confident in his aerial ability and roughly the same height as Ronaldinho, showed no urgency—he knew that in a header duel he would have the advantage as a specialist defender. However, Ronaldinho did not engage in any contest for the header. Instead, upon arriving at the ball's landing spot, he leaped high without so much as glancing at Torres. His jump had been so well-timed that the ball was still descending when he took flight; he did not need to fight for the first touch—simply waiting until he descended allowed him to secure the ball with ease.
Then, in a moment of breathtaking ingenuity, as Ronaldinho began his descent in tandem with the ball, his left foot swung out suddenly. In mid-air, he deftly flicked the ball into the penalty area!
Seizing the opportunity, Luke, who had earlier freed himself from the clutches of the opposing defenders, burst into the box and collected the ball. The pace and precision of his run were testament to the team's intense training.
Reacting quickly, Alavés' goalkeeper Herrera charged out aggressively. Luke, who had been granted numerous chances in recent matches yet had failed to convert, now found himself with the perfect opportunity. With composure and determination, he fired a shot of exceptional quality. The ball soared along a beautiful trajectory—just as Herrera managed a desperate dive, the shot ricocheted off his outstretched hand and clipped the inside of the far post before nestling into the net.
The score now read 4–2 in favor of Mallorca, and once again, Ronaldinho had provided a crucial assist.