Chapter 124: Only Offense

When the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the first half, many felt a sense of unfinished business.

Although only one goal had been scored in the first half—a stunning solo effort by Eto'o—the match had been highly entertaining. Both teams displayed exceptional skill in both attack and defense, making it a technically rich and visually appealing game.

As the players left the field, the fans in the stands gave them a warm round of applause. While Mallorca's supporters weren't as demanding as those of Real Madrid or Barcelona, who might prefer a thrilling 3-4 loss over a dull 1-0 win, they were still La Liga fans. After such an exciting first half, many Mallorca fans began to feel that even if they lost the match, it wouldn't be a disappointment.

José, however, didn't share this sentiment. Although Mallorca's current squad wasn't the strongest, he was inherently a proponent of attractive football. For him, the ultimate goal wasn't just to win, but to win with style.

Only a handful of teams could achieve this, but José believed that Mallorca could be one of them. This mindset might seem obsessive, but it's often the case that those who achieve great success are driven by such obsessions.

Even with his pursuit of perfection, José couldn't find much fault with his team's performance in the first half.

Perhaps due to their recent slump in the previous two matches, Mallorca's players had risen to the occasion. Valencia, too, had shown signs of recovery after their three consecutive losses, gradually regaining the form they had displayed earlier in the season.

Yet, despite facing a resurgent Valencia, Mallorca had managed to gain both a tactical and a scoreline advantage in an open, attacking game. José had no reason to criticize his players.

Moreover, José wasn't the type of coach who criticized for the sake of it. When his players performed well, he was quick to praise them.

"Keep up the attacking momentum in the second half, but don't forget to press in midfield. Valencia's counterattacks aren't as sharp as last season, but their midfield is stronger. When Mendieta gets the ball, close him down immediately. If Aimar has the ball, maintain defensive structure—don't let him beat one player and then another. As for our attack, mix up passing and dribbling, and be patient. Breaking down a defense like Valencia's requires a lot of patience."

Valencia's defense was a headache for José. While he respected Cuper, he knew from his observations and later insights that Cuper was more about defensive organization than tactical innovation. At Mallorca, Cuper had relied on a compact defensive setup, aided by the small pitch at their home ground. However, at Inter Milan, his defensive system hadn't been as successful. Compared to Italian coaches, Cuper's ability to build a cohesive defensive framework was somewhat lacking, though his attention to defensive details was exceptional.

At Valencia, however, Cuper had inherited a solid defensive foundation laid by the Italian coach Ranieri. Combining this with his own meticulous approach, Cuper had forged a formidable defensive line that would serve Valencia well for years to come. Benítez's two league titles with Valencia were largely built on this defensive backbone.

Against such a defense, José's options were limited. His strategy was to sustain pressure through relentless attacking, forcing mistakes. After all, even the best defenses can falter under constant pressure, as seen in the 2000 European Championship final, where Italy's otherwise impeccable defense cracked under France's relentless attacks, with Cannavaro's momentary lapses costing Italy the title.

For Valencia, the second half also demanded a more aggressive approach.

Having lost three consecutive matches, they couldn't afford a fourth defeat, especially in a six-pointer like this.

As the second half began, Valencia immediately took control of midfield, with Mendieta orchestrating their attacks. Whenever he received the ball, Kaladze was quick to press him.

Mendieta, known more for his work rate and passing than his technical skills, didn't engage in prolonged duels. Instead, he relied on quick distribution to keep Valencia's attacks flowing. Despite Mallorca's intense midfield pressing, gaps inevitably appeared.

Vicente became Valencia's main outlet on the wing, repeatedly driving forward, while Jorge dropped back to help Ibáñez contain him.

Seeing his team gradually being pushed back, José shook his head in frustration. Cuper's influence was still evident; even with new players and a more attacking approach, Mallorca tended to retreat under pressure.

After a moment, José stood up and shouted from the touchline, "Who told you to drop back? Push up! Attack! Did you forget what I said earlier?"

Having made his point, José quickly returned to the bench before the referee could intervene.

Cuper glanced at José with some surprise. Despite leaving Mallorca, he had kept a close eye on the team. He had been impressed by José's replication of his own tactics in the latter half of the previous season. However, this season, José had completely shifted away from that approach, imprinting his own style on the team. Initially, Cuper had been skeptical, thinking that forcing an attacking philosophy might not suit Mallorca.

But now, it seemed José was determined to make attacking football Mallorca's identity.

After José's outburst, Mallorca began to push forward again. With three technically gifted midfielders driving the play, they managed to outplay Valencia in the middle of the park. However, this slight advantage wasn't enough to break down Valencia's rock-solid defense.

After Eto'o's earlier goal, Valencia's backline had tightened up. Despite Mallorca's varied attempts—through passing combinations and individual dribbles—they struggled to create clear chances. Most of their efforts ended in long-range shots or crosses, with Valencia's defenders dominating aerial duels and Cañizares making crucial saves.

"This isn't good," José thought. Valencia's defensive setup was like a whirlpool, drawing Mallorca into a relentless attacking rhythm. He knew that continuing to press forward risked leaving them vulnerable to counterattacks, but stopping the attacks could invite even more pressure from Valencia.

"This combination of defense and counterattack is something only Cuper could come up with..."

Valencia's strategy was to absorb pressure and then strike on the break, whether through quick ground passes or long balls to their forwards. It was a deadly approach.

Unfortunately, José couldn't devise a quick solution. Valencia's tactical system, shaped by both Ranieri and Cuper, was too well-established. Even with his tactical acumen, José couldn't find a way to counter it on the fly.

Just as he was pondering, Valencia's counterattack paid off.

Motta's through ball was intercepted by Ayala, who then found Carboni. The full-back launched a long ball to Carew, who outmuscled Niño to head it down to Aimar. The playmaker quickly shifted the ball to Vicente on the wing, who sprinted forward.

Jorge chased back desperately but was gradually outpaced. Just as he closed in, Vicente cut inside and delivered a cross to the edge of the box.

Aimar let the ball run past him, and Baraja, arriving late, struck a powerful shot into the net. Valencia had equalized!

"Damn it!" José clenched his fist. Just as he had feared, Valencia's counterattack had proven decisive. Even without López, Valencia's ability to strike on the break remained intact, with Baraja's goal epitomizing their style.

But now wasn't the time to vent frustration. José needed to figure out his next move.

Should they continue attacking? Valencia's counters were still dangerous. But if they didn't push forward, Valencia might sit back and settle for a draw. While a point wouldn't be a bad result, José wasn't entirely satisfied.

"Keep attacking!" José called over captain Nadal during Valencia's celebrations and instructed him to relay the message to the team.

For José, the only option was to keep pushing forward. Even if it meant risking another counterattack, he wanted his players to experience what it took to break down one of La Liga's best defenses.