Chapter 150: The Meat Grinder Midfield
As Mallorca took the lead at home, the match started to heat up!
The Mallorca players had a psychological advantage—under Jose's guidance last season, they had defeated Real Madrid twice in the league, so they weren't afraid of their opponents. Scoring so early further boosted their confidence.
On the other hand, Real Madrid's players had the pride of a big club to uphold. Just the transfer fees for Figo and Zidane could have bought the entire Mallorca squad (based on their transfer prices when they were signed). If they lost to Mallorca so easily, how would they face the world? At the very least, being seen as overrated was something Real Madrid's players couldn't tolerate.
Real Madrid had the upper hand in midfield. Figo and Zidane were not easy players to mark. Despite Mallorca's full-backs frequently helping with the defense, they still couldn't stop Figo and Zidane's attacking combination. However, Zidane's passes were often too obvious, as he wasn't yet in full sync with his teammates—after all, overly subtle passes that trick the opponent are just as likely to trick teammates.
So, Zidane's passes were mostly straightforward, and although they were accurate, it was easier to defend against them, allowing Mallorca's midfield to hold their ground.
Seeing that Real Madrid's midfield was gradually putting pressure on Mallorca, Jose furrowed his brow. Mallorca's midfield defense wasn't bad. Kralz was a solid defensive player, and Mota was not only excellent at organizing but also defensively solid. With two dedicated defensive midfielders, most teams would struggle, but they were facing Real Madrid, a team with two of the world's best players at their peak!
Such a team seemed one of a kind in European football.
"Hmm, against a team like this, a meat grinder midfield combined with quick counterattacks is the way to go," Jose thought, stroking his chin.
But he didn't rush to make changes. After all, playing against Real Madrid in such a high-pressure match wasn't a frequent opportunity, and it might speed up the team's development.