Chapter 35: The Devil's Home Ground

Torches, smoke, drums, banners—and those blood-red, enormous posters covering half the stands, emblazoned with "Welcome to Hell!" in bold, crimson letters. Countless flames danced in the stands, with dense smoke billowing across the stadium. The deafening drumbeats began at kickoff and didn't relent until the final whistle. Flags fluttered furiously in the wind, filling the air with an overwhelming sense of foreboding.

This was the scene at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. The match pitted Galatasaray against Serie A giants AC Milan. Though AC Milan had underperformed in the previous two seasons, they bounced back last year to claim the Serie A title and were determined to make a strong showing in the Champions League. However, after being drawn into a group with Hertha Berlin, Chelsea, and Galatasaray, their performance was mediocre at best.

Despite this, AC Milan still had a chance to qualify for the next stage if they defeated Galatasaray in the final group-stage match. But in the devilish atmosphere of Ali Sami Yen Stadium, they crumbled, losing 3–2. The oppressive atmosphere of the stadium nullified the skills of Milan's star-studded squad. With this loss, AC Milan not only missed out on advancing but also failed to secure third place, which would have earned them a spot in the UEFA Cup. They were instead eliminated, finishing last in their group. Galatasaray, riding the momentum of this victory, secured their place in the UEFA Cup.

The video footage in question wasn't a typical match recording. It didn't focus much on the game itself but instead vividly captured the terrifying atmosphere of the stands. This compressed version was procured by José through his ESPN connections, with a singular purpose: to give Mallorca's players a taste of the cauldron that awaited them.

The effect was immediate.

The Mallorca players stared at the TV screen, wide-eyed. Even though the sound and visuals couldn't fully replicate the live experience, the intensity was still palpable.

Most of the Mallorca players weren't new to the big stage. Aside from rookie Diego Tristán, even a young Samuel Eto'o had sat on the bench at Camp Nou and experienced the electrifying atmosphere of a major stadium. However, they had to admit that Spanish fans weren't particularly rabid. In Spain, football fans were relatively civilized. While England had its hooligans and Italy was known for unruly ultras, the Bundesliga's disciplined fans and La Liga's generally mild-mannered supporters rarely caused disturbances. There were chants, even discriminatory ones, but outright chaos was uncommon.

"AC Milan's team bus was pelted with stones on the way to the stadium. The night before the game, their hotel was bombarded with noise. These guys don't care about consequences, so I want you all to be mentally prepared. We won't just be facing opponents on the pitch but also those off it," José said, observing the players' increasingly serious expressions.

Satisfied with their reaction, José allowed a slight smile. The players' heightened alertness was enough for now. He didn't want them overly cautious or restrained.

"This time, our first leg is away, which works to our advantage," José continued. "The reason Galatasaray went so overboard against Milan was that it was the final group-stage game, and they wouldn't have to play in Milan again. But earlier in the tournament, when they had away matches against Hertha Berlin and Chelsea, they avoided such antics. That's how Chelsea hammered them 5–0 in Istanbul. Since our second leg is at home, they'll think twice before resorting to such underhanded tactics. So, we don't need to worry about that. Just be mentally prepared and don't let the atmosphere scare you."

The players nodded thoughtfully. Defender Nadal furrowed his brow and asked, "José, don't Galatasaray worry about retribution when they play in Milan? Surely this kind of interference isn't welcome everywhere."

"Good point, Miguel. But the Turks don't think like that," José replied with a smirk. "They're all about seizing the moment. Future consequences? That's tomorrow's problem. Besides, they can always play innocent later, claim it's the fans acting independently, and even call for sportsmanship, urging their opponents to forgive and forget."

"That's absurd! You should pay for your mistakes!" Nino interjected angrily.

"You can't reason with shamelessness," José said with a chuckle, prompting light laughter from the players.

"By the way," José continued, "when we travel to Turkey, we'll provide each of you with earplugs. If they try to disturb us, just wear them and get a good night's sleep. Other than that, don't worry too much. No matter how loud their fans get, they won't storm the pitch to stab you. If anyone's in danger, it's more likely me on the sidelines."

The players burst into laughter. José wasn't wrong. If troublemakers did invade the pitch, the coach was indeed a more likely target than the players.

"Now, let's discuss their key players," José said, switching off the TV. He walked over to the tactical board and jotted down several numbers.

"Number 9, Hakan Şükür. He's similar to Diego—tall, strong, excellent at positioning, and capable of holding up the ball. He's more versatile than Diego, though I think Diego has better explosiveness."

Hearing this, Tristán puffed his chest, clearly pleased.

"Number 10, Gheorghe Hagi. A midfield maestro with top-tier technique and vision. However, this is his final season, and his stamina has declined significantly. Vicente, you'll need to focus more on defense, working with Francisco to mark Hagi. Limit his touches and force him to run more. Drain his stamina, and his threat diminishes."

"On the right, they have Okan Buruk. Technically solid but not particularly quick. Stick close to him, and he won't be a problem."

José detailed their 3-5-2 formation, emphasizing its reliance on wing play. "Their flanks are vulnerable. Diego will draw their attention in the center, and Samuel can exploit the space on the wings. We'll focus on counterattacks. Every goal we score away is an advantage. Then, back at home, we'll finish them off!"

With his clear instructions, the players' initial apprehension turned to focus. Their mindset was now perfect for the challenge ahead—cautious but not intimidated.

March 15th. Mallorca arrived in Istanbul after a week of preparation and a long flight. The team prioritized rest and recovery over additional drills in Istanbul, knowing their tactics were already in place.

José, ever vigilant, assigned assistant coaches to monitor the hotel in shifts, wary of any disturbances. Though he doubted Galatasaray would risk provoking Mallorca before their trip to Spain, caution was key.

The players' form remained strong, and morale was high. Youngsters like Eto'o burned with determination to leave their mark, while veterans exuded confidence born from years in top-flight football.

"Let's head to the stadium 30 minutes early tomorrow," José instructed Nadal.

"Why?" Nadal asked.

"To acclimate to the atmosphere," José replied with a smile. "The extended warm-up will help them stay loose and get used to the noise. It'll be good for them."

Nadal nodded. Victory, José knew, came from mastering every detail. And José was determined to leave nothing to chance.