I Am Jose-Chapter 87 - : A Long-Awaited Victory

José's tactical adjustment showcased his exceptional ability to make in-game decisions.

With just a single substitution, Mallorca regained control of the match. Their relentless attacks down the right flank forced the opposition to shift their defensive focus, leaving gaps in other areas of the pitch.

As Mallorca's players grew more confident, they capitalized on Numancia's defensive vulnerabilities.

A Moment of Eruption

In the 61st minute, the entire Son Moix Stadium erupted.

George once again surged forward along the flank. Mota and N'Gonga executed a quick one-two, shaking off their markers, while Ibagaza drifted inside, opening up space on the wing for George.

Numancia's defenders were fixated on George. Over the past 15 minutes, this 29-year-old veteran had been tormenting them. Letting an aging player run rampant was nothing short of humiliating.

In football, players often fall into predictable patterns—much like an NBA player who relied on the same fake shot to beat his defenders, frustrating his coach to no end. But in the heat of the moment, defenders react instinctively rather than analytically.

Numancia's defenders assumed George would receive the ball, push forward, and whip in a cross for Mallorca's strikers. Even though Ibagaza had moved into a dangerous position, they dismissed him as merely a decoy to create space for George.

Then, in a flash, Mota showcased his incredible vision and awareness. Instead of passing to George, he subtly flicked his left foot and sent a precise through ball into the box.

Ibagaza, unmarked, received the pass right at the edge of the penalty area!

Numancia's defenders were caught completely off guard. Before they could react, Ibagaza took a touch forward and unleashed a low-driven shot.

The ball skimmed across the grass, rocketing towards the bottom left corner. The goalkeeper dived, but it was too late—the net rippled.

The stadium exploded in a frenzy!

"GOOOOAAAL! IBAGAZA! Numancia's defense collapsed at the worst possible moment! He was left completely unmarked in a dangerous area—an unforgivable mistake! Mallorca's persistent right-flank attacks deceived them, and George's presence drew their focus. A stunning finish from Ibagaza!"

"José's halftime adjustment has paid off! Even though George didn't directly participate in the goal, his influence on the match was undeniable. Young José continues to impress with his tactical awareness and clever use of his players. If this were just a one-time fluke, people might call it luck, but from last season onward, his in-game decisions have consistently been praised. A coach with such talent is destined for greatness!"

On the sidelines, José celebrated wildly. He leaped into the air and pumped his fists before turning to the stands, urging the fans to raise their voices even louder.

The Comeback Is Complete

Despite equalizing, Mallorca didn't let up. Under José's orders, they continued their onslaught.

Now, the left flank also came alive. Stankovic, though not as explosive as George on the right, posed a constant threat with his crosses and dribbling.

Then, in the 75th minute, Mallorca completed the turnaround.

Ibagaza and George combined brilliantly on the right with a quick one-two. Ibagaza reached the byline and cut the ball back into the box. Delgado used his strength to shield the defender, and in a flash, Luck darted in from the crowd and fired a shot!

The ball thundered into the net!

Albert Luque, the 22-year-old forward, had just scored his first official goal for Mallorca!

Luque barely glanced at the goal before tearing off towards the stands. In his excitement, he ripped off his jersey and flung it aside, celebrating wildly with the fans.

"ALBERT LUQUE! The young striker has repaid José's trust with a goal! As soon as José took over, he promoted Luque from the reserves and immediately gave him a starting role. And today, Luque has delivered!"

"Mallorca's youth development has been outstanding in recent years. Last season, we saw Tristan rise to prominence; this season, it's Luque. But whether Luque can replicate Tristan's success remains to be seen."

José, however, was much calmer now.

Unlike Tristan, a pure goal-scorer, Luque wasn't an outright poacher. He was a hard-working forward with decent finishing ability, solid technique, and the versatility to play as a striker or a left winger. José had spent considerable time refining his game.

As a time traveler, José had an advantage—he knew which young players would go on to have great careers. He understood their strengths and weaknesses, allowing him to train them accordingly. While he couldn't create superstars overnight, he was confident that he could elevate their potential.

If only he had arrived at Mallorca sooner—perhaps then he could have kept Tristan from leaving. Despite all his efforts, Tristan remained overly reliant on his physicality. And for a power-based forward, once their physical peak declined, their form could plummet—just like Vieri in later years.

But Tristan had moved on. All José could do was silently wish him luck.

Talented strikers weren't hard to find.

Closing Out the Game

In the final minutes, José substituted Luque for Biagini—not just to let the youngster bask in the fans' applause, but also to assess Biagini's form.

After all, Biagini had once been Mallorca's top scorer for a season. At just 24, he was too young to be written off completely.

However, Biagini's performance was underwhelming. Though he was familiar with his teammates, his pace and finishing ability didn't shine through.

José shook his head. He wouldn't discard Biagini just yet, but his trust in the forward had undoubtedly diminished.

When the final whistle blew, Mallorca had secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Numancia.

This was only their second league win of the season, but it was a crucial one. With this result, Mallorca drew level with Numancia in points and climbed to 18th place in the standings.

The win brought some relief to the team. Being eliminated from the UEFA Cup had lightened their schedule, but for José, the challenge had only just begun. Without European competition revenue, Mallorca needed to perform even better in the league—ideally finishing in the top four to qualify for the Champions League. Only Champions League income could sustain the club's future.

And José had no intention of slowing down in the transfer market.

Mallorca still had $6.5 million in transfer funds. With Stankovic's imminent departure set to bring in another $2 million, José would have over $8 million to strengthen the squad.

A Farewell Conversation

After the match, as most players left the dressing room, Stankovic stayed behind.

"Boss... I'm sorry."

Hearing those words from a player three years older than him, José felt a pang of guilt. If he hadn't needed to keep things secret to avoid sabotage from the board, Stankovic might have stayed. Losing a loyal player like him was still a painful blow.

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"Jovan, you have nothing to apologize for." José waved him down. "In life, we all face choices. Some are right, some are wrong—but I'm not saying your choice was a mistake. No player wants to sit on the bench under a coach who doesn't believe in them. If I were sidelined by the board, unable to do my job, I'd leave too. It's not about anything else—it's about professional dignity."

Stankovic's eyes welled up. For a fleeting moment, he considered tearing up his Marseille contract and staying.

But José simply smiled.

"Play well in Marseille. Ligue 1 suits Eastern European players. It doesn't matter where you play—what matters is that you play your best."

Stankovic nodded firmly.

"Alright then," José chuckled. "Besides, in a few days, you won't even be my player anymore. It always felt weird having someone older than me call me 'boss.' But no matter where you go, we'll always be friends."

"Absolutely. In my five years at Mallorca, the only coaches I truly admired were Cooper and you." Stankovic shook his hand. "We'll always be friends."

José grinned.

"Well then, there's one league match before the transfer window opens. Give me one last great performance, my friend."