Chapter 114: Bosque’s Expectations

For Real Madrid fans, the passivity of their team in the first half was completely unexpected. When the referee blew for halftime, a collective sigh of relief could be heard throughout the Bernabéu.

The half ended 0–0, with Real Madrid, playing at home, managing to salvage a draw despite a noticeably subdued performance. Ever since Bosque took charge, he had emphasized a meticulously organized defence. Whether it was his three-centre-back system last season or his current pair of holding midfielders, his tactical philosophy was clear: maintain offensive potency while bolstering the defence to preserve balance. This approach had enabled Madrid to avoid conceding despite being under pressure.

Mallorca's best chance in the first half came in the 30th minute when Eto'o, receiving a pass from Ronaldinho, created an almost breakaway opportunity for Luke. However, Luke's shot—disrupted by persistent pressure—was spectacularly saved by Casillas, who dove to clear the ball and keep Madrid's clean sheet intact.

As the teams returned to the locker rooms, Coach José's brow remained furrowed. He was surprised that Real Madrid, despite being visibly on the back foot for much of the first half, had managed to hold on without conceding. His original plan was to take the initiative in the first half with an aggressive, proactive tactic and then rely on counterattacks in the second half to preserve and extend the lead. With no lead at halftime, he worried that the second half might bring even more trouble.

Yet, for fans and commentators alike, the fact that Mallorca managed to neutralize Real Madrid's attacks—and even create a slight edge—was nothing short of astonishing, especially considering that in the previous eight league games, Madrid had been almost invincible, defeating every opponent convincingly.

"Mallorca has successfully stifled Real Madrid's attack in the first half and even held a slight advantage. However, they've also expended a great deal of energy; if they run out of steam in the second half, it could turn against them," remarked Iván Hidalgo during halftime.

Xavier Bonés offered a contrasting view. "Not necessarily. While Mallorca may be struggling, Real Madrid might not be in the best shape either. Both teams are playing almost one match a week. Moreover, Mallorca fielded a largely substitute lineup in the Copa del Rey, so in terms of fitness, both sides are on a level playing field. It all comes down to how José and Bosque adjust in the second half. The difference between victory and defeat might be razor-thin."

While the two commentators debated, Coach José had already made up his mind. After a ten-minute break, he gathered his players and said, "Guys, we continue our attack in the second half. We press hard in midfield. With our attacking system, Real Madrid has few answers. The first goal of the second half will set the tone for the entire match! If we can break Real Madrid's formidable home unbeaten record this season with that opening goal, we'll tilt the game in our favor. Casillas is in great form—if he's given a moment to collect himself near the goal, he can't stop us. And on defence, stick with our first-half strategy. Control Figo in midfield, even if it means picking up extra fouls, as long as you avoid dangerous areas inside the box. Their form isn't as strong as it appears; this is our chance to defeat them!"

After pondering the first-half performance, José concluded that Real Madrid's players simply weren't firing on all cylinders—perhaps due to too many victories flattening their intensity—while Mallorca was on the rise. Now was the time to seize the moment and beat them!

Meanwhile, in the Real Madrid dressing room, Bosque was making his own tactical adjustments. He instructed Carlos to increase his assist output in the second half, while Savio was told to help drive the attack through the middle, thus clearing space on the left flank. After Carlos's forward passes, Maklélé and Grémi were to cover any resulting gaps.

"They want to trade blows with us? Then let's show them who's boss! This season, Real Madrid's attack is the best in La Liga—nobody can match it! How could a team like Mallorca possibly hope to beat us at the Bernabéu with mere counterattacks? We'll let our performance speak for itself and prove that we are the true masters of this stadium!" Bosque's voice resonated through the room as he rallied his players, instilling in them a fierce determination to defend their home record.

Although Bosque was not one to habitually shout motivational slogans, his carefully chosen words in matters of pride and legacy always ignited the fighting spirit of his players.

As the second half began, Real Madrid unleashed a torrent of attacks. "Figo picks up the ball in central midfield… he splits wide! Salgado, on the wing, receives and breaks past Capdevila's defence—he crosses! Morientes—what a header, but it's off target, courtesy of Nino's interference!" the commentators exclaimed in rapid succession.

Then, "Carlos surges down the flank… something we haven't seen too often in the first half… Savio sends him the ball, and Carlos makes a blistering run down the left! Poor George—although his pace isn't lacking, he's been outpaced by Carlos. He crosses—but the ball ricochets off Nadal's thigh and bounces out of play! That dangerous, powerful cross from Carlos could easily result in an own goal if not intercepted properly. Thank goodness Nadal's touch was precise enough to keep it off target; otherwise, Franco might not have been able to react in time!"

In the second half, Real Madrid's attacks grew increasingly ferocious. Their full-backs frequently surged forward to support the offense, and as Carlos and Savio became more involved, Madrid's attack was noticeably sharper than in the first half. In fact, Real Madrid's entire offensive system truly came together only when both full-backs actively contributed.

In an instant, Mallorca's defence began to buckle under the relentless pressure, teetering on the edge of collapse. Real Madrid's fans erupted in jubilation—they were thrilled to see their team impose its trademark, flamboyant and incisive attack on the pitch. The organized mass of over a thousand Real Madrid supporters in the stands at Bernabéu resembled a small boat caught in a tsunami, their chants nearly overwhelming those of the opposing fans. Their fervent shouts echoed the precarious state of Mallorca's defence, which now seemed as fragile as the support they received.

On the Mallorca bench, the substitute players watched the unfolding chaos with mounting anxiety. It was painfully clear that while Mallorca was intent on pressing forward, they were struggling to break through Real Madrid's steadfast lines and were instead being forced to absorb an onslaught. If this continued, conceding would be inevitable.

Yet Coach José made no in-game adjustments. He sat silently on the touchline, one fist supporting his chin, his gaze fixed unblinkingly on the pitch. He was waiting.

Real Madrid's offensive burst was indeed intimidating, but José saw opportunity even in the onslaught. Although Mallorca was being heavily pressed, there were still plenty of their own players waiting in the attacking third—Ronaldinho, Eto'o… even if Luke had been pulled back by the pressure, these two in the front remained a threat. Moreover, with Real Madrid's full-backs pushing high forward, their defensive cover was limited to an aging Jerzy and an overly impulsive Elgra—leaving gaps that could be exploited.

The pressing question was whether Mallorca's counterattacks would seize the initiative before Real Madrid's defence could finally break through. It was a gamble—but one that Mallorca was willing to take. After all, a loss away from home wouldn't jeopardize their league campaign; it wasn't a title-deciding match or a relegation battle. A win, however, would catapult Mallorca to new heights. For José, his team had every chance of winning.

"Not much is happening—are they out of ideas, or are they simply waiting for a counter?" Bosque, ever the tactician, looked at José with a measured expression. By now, Bosque had come to respect the young coach's calm demeanour. Beyond his clear tactical acumen, José possessed a remarkable composure even in perilous situations. Whether he was genuinely stumped or confidently awaiting the perfect moment for a counterattack, his unruffled manner influenced his players, ensuring they remained focused and unhurried.

"If he isn't faking calm, then he's banking on a counterattack…" Bosque mused inwardly. He had prepared for every eventuality. Even though Real Madrid's assault was formidable, there were moments when a few of their players remained motionless. Maklélé, for instance, was still tracking Ronaldinho closely, and in midfield, Figo and Savio were relentlessly pressing Mota to cut off Mallorca's supply lines. Up front, Eto'o was being marked tightly by defenders Jerzy and Elgra. As long as Real Madrid managed to disrupt the passing game, Mallorca's long balls would lose their sting—after all, Mallorca lacked a towering target in the air.

After a long moment of reflection, Bosque concluded that he hadn't overlooked any details. His tactical plan hinged on cutting off Mallorca's primary counterattacking outlets, and the scenario he had prepared for was nearly unfolding before him. Although Mallorca had aimed to play an open, attacking game, the reality on the pitch was that Real Madrid had managed to suppress them—just as Bosque had predicted.

"I see how you'll counterattack," Bosque thought confidently. Despite having already recorded eight consecutive home wins and enjoying a comfortable lead over second-place rivals, no one can afford to rest on their laurels—especially when Real Madrid's home unbeaten record is at stake. For a coach, aside from the honor of winning trophies, leaving behind a legacy of records is something to be cherished. Real Madrid's previous unbeaten home run was ten games—a record set by the legendary "Madrid Eagles" back in the 1989–90 season, a record that had lain dormant for eleven years. Now, with Madrid on a seven-game home win streak, that record was well within reach. And while Madrid's overall league winning streak was 15 games (currently at eight), there was every possibility of it being extended.

Bosque's objective was clear: lead Real Madrid to shatter these long-standing club records and etch his name in the annals of Madrid's history until a superior coach came along. In doing so, Bosque would have no regrets—he would stand as the undisputed leader of this elite club, even if just for a time.