Chapter 224: Preparations Before the New Season

The heart-to-heart talk was over, but José wasn't entirely sure how much of it Albertini had truly taken to heart. He understood that Albertini's moodiness wasn't directed at Mallorca but rather at his departure from AC Milan. Even though he had joined Mallorca without causing any trouble, deep down, he still wasn't ready to leave Milan. His dissatisfaction was actually aimed at AC Milan, but now that he had already transferred, no amount of resentment would trouble Milan anymore—only Mallorca, an innocent party in José's eyes, would be affected.

Because of this, José didn't say too much during their conversation. He simply emphasized to Albertini how important he was to Mallorca, hoping to ignite his sense of responsibility. He then advised Albertini to embrace change, suggesting that experiencing life in a different setting might not be such a bad thing. Life is about learning to move on.

José didn't know how much Albertini had absorbed, but a noticeable change followed. Albertini was no longer training in isolation, avoiding communication with his teammates. Instead, he started engaging with them more. While he had never met or interacted with most of the Mallorca squad before, his experience as a top-class player with years at a prestigious club gave him the social skills to navigate the locker room with ease. Humble in demeanor and well-known in reputation, he carried no airs of superiority in conversations. Though he wasn't the type to get overly familiar by putting an arm around a teammate's shoulder, his ability to chat and laugh with others quickly bridged the gap.

Initially, some Mallorca players had thought the veteran star was just being aloof. However, as conversations flowed over the next few days, they realized that Albertini was actually a warm and talkative person. It was no surprise that he later went on to become a players' union leader after retiring—without strong communication skills, he wouldn't have been able to take on such a role.

As an accomplished veteran at the club level, Albertini earned considerable respect from his Mallorca teammates. The team's core of senior players wasn't large—mainly defenders and midfielders like Nadal, Olešola, Marcos, and Soler. Campo, though more experienced, was only twenty-eight, not quite an elder statesman yet. These veteran players were concentrated in defense and midfield, while the attacking unit was packed with youth—Ronaldinho at twenty-two, Eto'o at twenty-one, Drogba at twenty-four, Kaká at twenty, and Torres at just eighteen.

This distribution of experience followed José's long-standing philosophy: the backline needed stability and wisdom, while the attack thrived on creativity and energy.

Previously, the locker room leader had been Engonga. Now retired, he had taken on a new role as the club's liaison, bridging communication between the players and the coaching staff. The new locker room leader was Nadal, a club legend from Mallorca. However, while Nadal was fearless on the field, he was not the type to inspire teammates through loud speeches. Instead, he led by example, encouraging his peers through his own performances.

José was somewhat concerned about this dynamic. Most of the veteran players, including the newly arrived Albertini, were of a more gentlemanly nature. There wasn't really anyone in the squad who could step up and physically protect teammates in key moments. Previously, Kaladze had brought a certain toughness to the team, but he had left. Even Van Buyten, with his intimidating appearance, was actually a mild-mannered player. José looked over his squad and realized that only Roa, a backup goalkeeper, and García, a half-regular defensive midfielder, could be considered enforcers. Fortunately, the Spanish league wasn't as physically demanding as others, so this lack of hard men wasn't a major issue.

Tactical Adjustments and Training

With fitness training underway, the team also focused intensely on tactical drills. The overall system remained the same, centered around a playmaking midfielder to initiate attacks. In counterattacks, the playmaker's role was to secure possession quickly and launch forward plays. In organized build-up play, he would serve as the focal point, distributing passes to maximize his orchestration abilities. The forwards were responsible for breaking through defenses and finishing chances. Essentially, Mallorca's offensive strategy revolved around central build-up play.

Albertini was no stranger to this style—he had played a similar role at Milan. He was a prime example of a playmaker who had transitioned from an attacking midfielder to a deep-lying playmaker. José wanted Alonso to learn from him, improving his own game in the process.

During training, José frequently paired Alonso with Albertini, allowing the younger midfielder to closely observe and learn. Albertini was generous with his knowledge, often explaining intricate details of his craft. Alonso, a naturally intelligent player, absorbed these lessons quickly. His passing vision and awareness of teammates' movements improved noticeably.

During intra-squad matches, José often placed Albertini and Alonso on opposing teams to have them lead their respective sides against each other. At other times, he grouped them together, letting them take turns orchestrating attacks, so Alonso could directly compare his decision-making to Albertini's.

Preseason Friendlies

After two weeks of intense training, Mallorca played three friendly matches, all hosted at their home ground, Son Moix Stadium. The opponents were Udinese from Serie A, Southampton from the Premier League, and Málaga from La Liga, all visiting Mallorca for their own preseason camps.

The goal of these matches was squad assessment rather than results. José frequently changed lineups, using an entirely different eleven for each half. The only constant was the system—building play through the deep-lying playmaker, ensuring players developed better on-field chemistry.

Results-wise, the matches were unremarkable. Mallorca defeated Southampton, drew with Málaga, and lost to Udinese. But José wasn't concerned—preseason friendlies didn't earn points, and what truly mattered was the upcoming official matches.

More important than the results was the evaluation of new signings. Although José had scouted these players extensively, seeing them perform firsthand in his system provided further insight.

Ronaldinho, now more mature after his World Cup experience, exuded confidence and charisma on the pitch. His flair and creativity remained indispensable for Mallorca. Eto'o had been relatively quiet the past season, but with an evolving playing style and improved finishing, he was taking steps toward becoming a complete forward. Drogba was still adapting but had a solid technical foundation. He just needed more match experience to develop self-assurance.

Among the newcomers, Kaká stood out the most. Unlike Ronaldinho's flashy style, Kaká played with a more European approach—efficient, direct, and technically refined. His speed, dribbling, powerful shooting, and vision made him an outstanding attacking midfielder.

Torres displayed his versatility. Spain had high hopes for him, and rightly so—he was fast, technically gifted, and physically strong. A well-rounded forward with speed, strength, and skill could be terrifying for any defense. However, he still relied too much on natural talent and physicality. At Atlético Madrid, he had carried too much responsibility at a young age, leading to excessive strain on his body—something that later contributed to his struggles at Chelsea.

Alonso, meanwhile, was proving to be a near mirror image of Albertini. While his organizational skills weren't fully developed yet, his stint as a workhorse at Real Sociedad had enhanced his defensive abilities. With continued learning, he had the potential to become a complete midfielder.

Senna, though older, displayed an incredibly composed style. His work rate and dedication were qualities José deeply appreciated. With Kaladze and Motta gone, Senna's role in Mallorca's stacked midfield became even more crucial. José valued all-around midfielders highly, knowing that modern football demanded positional fluidity and versatility.

Campo, an experienced sweeper, was reliable as a backup. Whether partnering Van Buyten or Nadal, he provided dependable coverage. Knowing his place in the squad, he was content with a rotational role.

Lastly, Belletti was the quintessential attacking fullback—technically sound, quick, and tactically aware. His aggressive positioning meant he often pushed up to the winger's zone, requiring defensive cover from midfield.

On paper, Mallorca's squad now looked formidable. Whether this translated to success on the pitch, however, would be decided by time.

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Mallorca 2002-2003 First Team Squad

Goalkeepers:

#1 Leo Franco (Argentina, 24 years old)

#12 Miki (Spain, 26 years old)

#22 Carlos Roa (Argentina, 33 years old)

Defenders:

#2 Alejandro Campano (Spain, 23 years old)

#3 Joan Capdevila (Spain, 24 years old)

#5 Fernando Niño (Spain, 28 years old)

#6 Juliano Belletti (Brazil, 26 years old)

#14 Javier Olaizola (Spain, 32 years old)

#15 Iván Campo (Spain, 28 years old)

#20 Miguel Ángel Nadal (Spain, 36 years old)

#23 Daniel Van Buyten (Belgium, 24 years old)

Midfielders:

#4 Demetrio Albertini (Italy, 31 years old)

#7 Francisco Rufete (Spain, 25 years old)

#8 Kaká (Brazil, non-EU player, 20 years old)

#10 Ronaldinho (Brazil, non-EU player, 22 years old)

#13 Marcos Senna (Brazil, non-EU player, 26 years old)

#16 Pablo García (Uruguay, 25 years old)

#17 Xabi Alonso (Spain, 21 years old)

#21 Martín Márquez (Spain, 33 years old)

#25 Francisco Soler (Spain, 32 years old)

Forwards:

#9 Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon, non-EU player, 21 years old)

#11 Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, 24 years old)

#18 Fernando Torres (Spain, 18 years old)

#19 Daniel Güiza (Spain, 22 years old)

Mallorca's 2002-2003 first-team squad consists of 24 players, including 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 9 midfielders, and 4 forwards.

The non-EU players in the squad are:

Marcos Senna (Brazil)

Kaká (Brazil)

Ronaldinho (Brazil)

Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon)

Other players such as Leo Franco (Italian passport), Carlos Roa (Spanish nationality), Pablo García (Spanish nationality), Didier Drogba (French nationality), and Juliano Belletti (Italian passport) are not counted as non-EU players due to their second nationality.