Chapter 181: We Have No Trouble
Although José didn't see the Copa del Rey as particularly important, suffering consecutive defeats in both La Liga and the cup within just two weeks had left Mallorca fans deeply concerned. The end of their perfect home record before the winter break further shook their confidence. Since Mallorca had exceeded expectations earlier in the season, their recent inconsistency made fans feel as if the team was "returning to its original form."
The media, however, remained cautious in their assessments. They weren't blind—they could see that Mallorca had significantly improved compared to last season. The recent struggles weren't insurmountable problems but merely a dip in form. Under such circumstances, a single victory might be enough to restore Mallorca to their early-season rhythm.
When a team performs well in the first half of the season but struggles in the second, there are usually a few explanations. First, their early success might have been due to other teams' unfamiliarity with them—many newly promoted teams start strong but struggle once opponents adapt. Second, they could have lost key players to injury or transfers, as seen with Hoffenheim, whose form collapsed after Vedad Ibišević got injured. Third, a widespread loss of motivation among players could lead to a drastic decline in performance.
Mallorca's recent slump didn't fall into any of these categories. Their tactics were well-drilled, so opponents weren't suddenly figuring them out. They hadn't suffered major injuries or player departures. And with the World Cup approaching, motivation wasn't an issue—whether or not they cared about Mallorca's results, players certainly cared about their spots in their national teams.
In short, Mallorca was facing only minor setbacks, not a crisis.
For Athletic Bilbao, their upcoming away match against Mallorca was a must-win. After 20 league rounds, they sat third with 34 points, just two behind Mallorca. A victory would propel them into second place. From first-place Real Madrid to ninth-place Real Betis, every team had their eyes set on a top-four finish and a Champions League spot—a prize too lucrative to ignore.
The league table was chaotic:
Real Madrid: 38 points
Mallorca: 36 points
Celta Vigo: 34 points
Betis (9th place): 32 points