"The first half has been a beautiful performance from Mallorca, playing away from home. Through determined defense and a stunning counterattack, they've managed to take a one-goal lead despite being at a huge disadvantage. For a two-legged match, Mallorca has already gained the upper hand. Surely, they'll double down on their defensive-counterattack strategy in the second half... Oh, the second half is underway, and neither team has made substitutions. Mallorca is starting the second half..."
"Tristan passes the ball to Cameroon striker Eto'o, who quickly makes a long pass back to the deep-lying captain N'Gonga. It looks like Mallorca plans to pass around at the back to waste some time... They often do this, and it works quite well for them. This small island team has done well these past two seasons without any stars, relying on their tough defense... Oh, hell, they're starting an attack!"
In the announcer's startled voice, after controlling the ball at his feet, N'Gonga didn't do what everyone expected, which was to pass back and forth to waste time—this was exactly what the Galatasaray players thought would happen. As soon as Eto'o passed back, two forwards and at least three midfielders rushed past midfield, preparing to press high.
After receiving Eto'o's pass, N'Gonga lifted his right foot and quickly sent a low, fast ball out, passing it to the left wing to Stankovic!
Galatasaray's right winger Okan had been rushing forward. He had planned to press Mallorca's left-back Olesola to cut off N'Gonga's passing options, but as soon as N'Gonga lifted his foot, the ball was passed behind him...
Okan barely managed to stop and turn to try and defend Stankovic, but he lost his balance and fell to the ground awkwardly...
Though Stankovic wasn't the fastest, he was still quick compared to fast players like Eto'o and Ibagasa. As an Eastern European player, his technique and footwork were solid, allowing him to carry the ball forward at a decent pace, almost as fast as a full sprint.
With no one defending him, Stankovic charged forward, past midfield. Only after he crossed the center line did Galatasaray's defensive midfielder Yümit step forward to defend. Stankovic didn't waste time and quickly passed the ball across to N'Gonga, who had been making a run in support.
After passing the ball, N'Gonga didn't stay back. Instead, he pushed forward boldly and received Stankovic's pass!
Having started his career purely as a defensive player, N'Gonga had gradually evolved into a more capable playmaker after joining Mallorca at 30. Although he lacked flashy skills, his wealth of experience and outstanding game awareness allowed him to contribute to Mallorca's midfield attack. Under José's guidance, N'Gonga had further developed his playmaking ability, even though Mallorca's midfield lacked a true organizer.
Receiving Stankovic's pass, N'Gonga deftly touched the ball to one side to avoid Galatasaray's remaining defensive midfielder and then passed it to the right wing to Ibagasa. Ibagasa received the ball and quickly passed it back to N'Gonga, who this time didn't dribble past defenders but nudged the ball forward with the tip of his boot, sending it to Tristan just outside the penalty area.
Tristan controlled the ball, turned sharply, and fired a powerful shot at the goal from the edge of the box!
The ball hurtled toward the top right corner, and Galatasaray's fans gasped. Luckily, Taffarel reacted quickly and leaped to just manage to push the ball out for a corner!
"Hey!" Tristan clenched his fist and slammed it into his palm, then shot an angry glance at the goalkeeper, the former Brazilian national team starter. It was clear he wasn't an easy opponent…
"Don't worry, Diego, take it easy," N'Gonga patted Tristan on the shoulder and then ran back.
"Oh, Mallorca has started the second half with a great attack! What's different from the first half is that they seem to be playing more aggressively this time, which is unexpected... With an away goal lead and an advantage, they should continue focusing on defense, but instead, they're relentlessly attacking Galatasaray... Nino and Nadal have entered Galatasaray's penalty area, preparing to contest headers. They really are playing more aggressively now… Stankovic takes the corner, Nino gets to the first header! Oh, just missed! The ball went a little too high…"
Nino shook his head as he ran back. Just moments ago, he had beaten the defender Hakan Şükür in the air to win the first header, but it was just a bit too high, or else they would have expanded their lead.
But knowing that the supposedly best Turkish forward had been thoroughly outplayed by them brought Nino some satisfaction.
Fatih Terim's face darkened. The tactical changes of this young coach had completely caught him off guard. What an unpredictable guy! How could someone so young anticipate everything so perfectly?
But if they dared to go toe-to-toe with them, they'd crush them!
Despite Mallorca's attacking display, Galatasaray's players didn't hesitate to counter-attack. It was their specialty to overwhelm opponents with relentless offense, no matter how many goals they conceded, they would still try to score more.
The Galatasaray fans in the stands were shouting for their team to tear Mallorca apart, certain that these cowardly Spaniards would soon retreat to their defensive shell, waiting for their onslaught.
However, once again, Mallorca stunned them.
Facing Galatasaray's increasingly frantic attacks, Mallorca fearlessly pressed in midfield, and the entire team's demeanor had transformed from the first half. They weren't intimidated at all, whether it was physical battles or technical duels—they weren't backing down!
Galatasaray's players, however, were increasingly surprised as they found themselves struggling. Their steps became heavier, and moving became more difficult, while the Mallorca players, though breathing heavily, didn't appear nearly as exhausted!
Even Yümit, who had always been full of energy, was beginning to tire. Hagi, who had been a dynamic force, was now bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for air. The Mallorca midfielders had effectively neutralized Galatasaray's core, draining their stamina without allowing them to create anything.
In the first half, Galatasaray's performance had been flawless, with no opportunities for Mallorca to even threaten the goal. But such a stellar performance came at a cost—their energy reserves were depleted too quickly. Now, in the second half, when Mallorca pushed the game into their preferred high-tempo rhythm, it was Galatasaray that felt the effects of fatigue first.
Taking advantage of this, Mallorca launched a frenzied attack, pinning Galatasaray back in their own half, hammering away relentlessly!
The Galatasaray fans were stunned, watching their team get torn apart on their beloved home ground. They screamed louder, but nothing changed on the field.
In the chaos, N'Gonga found a clear passing lane, cutting through Galatasaray's defense and perfectly finding Ibagasa in the right wing. Ibagasa, upon receiving the ball, sprinted down the line and delivered a perfect cross into the penalty area.
Tristan leaped high in the center of the box, and Brent and Popescu, determined not to give him an easy header, jumped with him. Facing the dangerous striker, they did their best to block his path, but when all three reached the highest point, they realized with shock that none of them could get a touch on the ball.
"Damn it!" Popescu and Brent thought simultaneously.
At the far post, Eto'o, relying on his speed, had already started sprinting toward the back post! Yümit, who had been marking him, had been completely left behind. Eto'o, seeing the ball descend, stepped forward and struck it powerfully with his right foot.
The ball curved in the air and flew straight into the far top corner of the net. Taffarel had no chance to stop it from such a close range!
2-0, Mallorca doubled their lead!
The sighs of Galatasaray's fans filled Ali Sami Yen Stadium. This goal, scored in the 81st minute, virtually sealed Galatasaray's home defeat and all but confirmed the outcome of this quarter-final tie.
Seeing Eto'o score again with a magnificent finish, José finally felt the weight lift off his shoulders.
A two-goal lead away from home—back at their own stadium, they would have an easier time.
After exhaling with relief, José turned his body, raised his right index finger to his lips, and made a "shh" gesture toward the stands.
"Shut the hell up! Let's see whose hell this stadium belongs to!"
After completing the gesture, José turned back to face the field, where he was quickly embraced by his jubilant Mallorca players.
"Well done, guys! We've conquered this damn hell of a stadium!"