Chapter 97: Adjustments to the First Team

After putting aside any unrealistic fantasies, José appeared on the training field bright and early the next day, giving loud instructions to the entire team.

Ronaldinho and Carraza had already been training together for some time. Among the new players, Eto'o was well-acquainted with his teammates, while only Capdevila and Gamara needed time to adjust to the team's atmosphere. However, José knew they were all capable players, and with the defense aging, their addition would inject much-needed energy into the team.

These five winter signings, along with Mota and Luke promoted from the youth team, were players José planned to rely on for the second half of the season. With the team eliminated from the UEFA Cup, the league became the stage for José to showcase his coaching abilities. The past few seasons in La Liga had been a competitive era, where losing a match or two wasn't a major issue, offering Mallorca a valuable opportunity to build team chemistry.

In the match against Real Sociedad on December 3rd, José fielded the following lineup:

Goalkeeper Franco; four defenders from right to left: Finiidi George, Nino, Nadal, and Olézola; midfielders Carraza, Mota, and Ngonga; and forwards Luke, Eto'o, and Ibáñez.

This 4-3-3 formation surprised Mallorca's fans, as the team was traditionally known for its defensive counter-attacks. Deploying three forwards in an away game was a rare sight.

However, as the match progressed, the commentators realized that despite the 4-3-3 formation, Mallorca still focused on defense. The three midfielders had solid defensive abilities. Ngonga, positioned on the right side of midfield, allowed George to venture forward more confidently, while Carraza's presence on the left allowed Luke to play more centrally, providing ample room for runs. Mota played a key role in organizing the attack alongside Ngonga. Although Mallorca didn't have many attacking chances, their defense remained solid and the attacking efficiency improved.

The first half ended 0-0, but Mallorca's threatening attacks far exceeded those of Real Sociedad.

In the second half, José made a substitution, bringing on Ronaldinho for Ibáñez. After this change, Luke moved to the center forward position, and Eto'o began appearing more on the right wing. Ronaldinho's presence added a greater threat to Mallorca's attack, and the trio of forwards began to show more attacking intent.

With the shift, Mallorca's formation resembled a 4-3-1-2, with Ronaldinho playing behind the two strikers, and the three midfielders focusing on defense before quickly moving the ball forward. This unorthodox tactic left Real Sociedad struggling to adjust.

In the 73rd minute, the front three combined beautifully. Ronaldinho made a quick breakthrough, and just before the defense could close him down, he passed to Eto'o. Eto'o, after shaking off a defender, charged into the box and shot. The goalkeeper saved it, but the rebound fell to Luke, who calmly scored.

"Well done!" José pumped his fist. The attack was well-executed, and though it was down to the brilliance of a few players in the final moments, it was a good approach while maintaining solid defense.

José knew that in the second half of the season, he would encourage a more proactive style of play, but defense would always remain the priority. The three defensive midfielders approach was a solid choice, with Capdevila and Carraza able to cover the left-sided defensive midfield position. This setup helped address the current imbalance on the left side.

With that goal, Mallorca secured a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad, their third consecutive win, all by a single goal. José's task of rebuilding the team was far from over.

After returning from the away game, Piri handed José a list, stating, "The first team roster currently has 27 players, but in reality, only 19 of them are useful. Some positions are quite thin and need to be reinforced."

"Many of the long-term substitutes need to be cleared out. They're not capable of competing for a spot in the first team. If we can sell them, we should. If not, moving them to the second team might be the better option. I've already highlighted the players who can make a difference for the first team."

"Goalkeepers: Leo Franco and Miki. After Boggs left, we only have two goalkeepers, but there's no need to add another. Franco can be the starting goalkeeper, and Miki is a reliable backup. If there's an injury, we can promote a goalkeeper from the second team."

"Defenders: Soler, Nadal, Nino, Olézola, Armando, Capdevila, Gamara, and George, who has been converted to right-back. We have enough options. Soler and Olézola can serve as good backups. We only have three center-backs, but it's sufficient for now. Nadal is the main starter, with Nino and Gamara rotating. However, on the left side, there are three players. Armando lacks the experience of Olézola and the skill of Capdevila. If he's unwilling to be a substitute, we should consider selling him."

"Midfielders: Soler, Ngonga, Mota, Ibáñez, Ronaldinho, and Carraza. The numbers are a bit low, but there's fierce competition for starting spots. I recommend adding a defensive midfielder and a right midfielder to strengthen the bench depth."

"Forwards: Delgado, Eto'o, and Luke. Three forwards are enough, and Ronaldinho can also play as a forward. There's no need to sign anyone else. If there are injuries, we can promote players from the second team."

Upon reading the list, José sighed.

There were 27 players in the first team, but only 19 were deemed useful by Piri. The other eight included players like Carlos and Ginteros (substitute forwards), as well as attack-minded midfielders like Robles and Josémi, and defender Raul Martín, all of whom were unlikely to make any significant impact on the first team.

José agreed with Piri's assessment. These players, whom he had rarely used, did indeed show substantial flaws in their abilities. He had simply not had the chance to clear them out yet, and selling them in the winter transfer window would be difficult.

However, with only 19 usable players and several of them on the decline, José found himself facing a challenging situation. Having fewer players could be just as problematic.

"Should we be looking for reinforcements for the right midfield and defensive midfield?" José pondered. He realized that with the team sometimes needing to use three defensive midfielders, there were only three specialists in those positions: Soler, Ngonga, and Mota. Carraza couldn't really be considered a pure defensive midfielder. If anything were to happen to one of the regulars, it could create issues for team formation. Similarly, the right midfield position was currently only filled by Ibáñez. If he got injured, there would be no one to replace him. José knew he couldn't rely on Eto'o to cover the right wing forever.

"Yes, those positions need to be reinforced, whether with young players or veteran substitutes," Piri nodded.

"Any recommendations?" José asked, realizing he hadn't thought of any suitable players.

Piri smiled, "Actually, I've spotted two good players in the second team who can fill the gap on the right side."

"From the second team?" José's eyes widened.

"Yes, the 22-year-old versatile right-side player Alejandro Campano and the same-aged attacking midfielder Álvaro Novo," Piri said with a grin. "José, you shouldn't overlook these two. They may not become top-tier stars, but with their abilities, they can definitely serve as solid rotation players or even starters on the right."

José slapped his forehead. He had been too focused on the more high-profile players from the youth team—players like Tristán, Luke, Mota, and even Guisa—who had made significant impacts, including winning the La Liga top scorer award. He had neglected players like Campano and Novo.

Now that Piri mentioned them, José realized that they could indeed fill the void. Campano was a versatile player, capable of playing right-back, a right-sided defensive midfielder, or right midfielder, offering both defensive and attacking skills. Novo, on the other hand, was a more creative player, similar to Ibáñez in style but a bit slower. He would be a reliable technical player for attacking midfield.

José recognized that players like these—humble, reliable, and affordable—were far more difficult to find than the star players, and they could prove to be valuable additions.