Chapter 163: The Heartbroken Miners
"These guys are really going crazy now. Can't blame them, though. If we had started with two consecutive losses, we'd be going crazy too—probably even crazier than they are."
Watching Schalke 04's players launch wave after wave of frenzied attacks, José couldn't help but sigh.
For Schalke 04, this match was truly a do-or-die battle. Last season, they had come painfully close to winning the Bundesliga title, and this season, they had entered the Champions League with the ambition of making a deep run. However, Panathinaikos and Arsenal had hit them with two brutal blows. Now, this game wasn't just their last hope of advancing to the second group stage—it was also a battle for their honor!
With their backs against the wall, if Schalke's players didn't give it their all now, then when would they?
Möller was orchestrating play from a deeper position, Böhme was relentlessly attacking down the flank, and Wilmots had pushed up even further. As a midfielder with strong scoring ability, and with Poulsen covering behind him, Schalke's midfield had both defensive solidity and serious attacking firepower.
In the previous round at Highbury, if Lehmann hadn't pulled off a series of heroic saves in the final thirty minutes—stopping dangerous shots from Sand and others—Arsenal might not have secured that 3-2 victory!
On top of that, Schalke's full-backs, the Dutchman Kampheuis and the Belgian Van Kerckhoven, were constantly pushing forward to support the attack, looking to stretch Mallorca's defense on the wings and bombard the penalty area with crosses, putting pressure on Mallorca's aerial defense.
Although Mallorca's two center-backs were both tall, Nadal was aging, and Van Buyten had never been tested in a top-four European league. Mistakes were bound to happen, and Schalke was counting on exactly that—going all-in with relentless attacks. If Mallorca didn't make any mistakes, well, tough luck for Schalke. But if they did, Schalke was ready to capitalize on every single one!
A header inside the box—if well-placed and fast enough—was nearly impossible for a goalkeeper to react to. Aerial shots like these couldn't be anticipated or blocked in advance...
It was an open and obvious strategy, and José saw through it immediately. But the problem with open strategies is that even if you see them coming, stopping them is a whole other challenge.
Just like now—José could only pray that his center-backs would hold strong and not give Schalke the mistakes they were looking for.