CHAPTER 352: TOTTENHAM REMATCH

During preparations for the upcoming league match, Richard made a decision—he would personally observe Mourinho’s training session. Curiosity, more than anything else, had pulled him out to the pitch.

The training grounds at the Britannia Intercontinental weren’t exactly grand. Unlike the facilities at Maine Road, they were modest in appearance—but they had something far more valuable: purpose.

The indoor training facility was complete with a modern sports medical team, scientifically tailored nutrition plans, meticulous intelligence gathering, and fully equipped tactical meeting rooms.

All of it had stemmed from an idea planted years ago, when Richard first formed his High Performance Team. Slowly but surely, that vision was becoming a reality—built by his own hands, brick by brick.

Before the training match began, Richard overheard Mourinho call the players over and say,"We’ve performed well over the past four months, conceding only seventeen goals in twenty-four matches across all competitions. However, our goal-scoring has dipped recently. So today, we’ll focus on allowing our wide midfielders to attempt more breakthroughs — adding new dimensions to our attacking play."

Mourinho’s words immediately sparked interest among the players, especially those who thrived on creativity and freedom in the final third.

Previously, under O’Neill, training requirements had been more straightforward. Forwards were instructed to take quick shots as soon as they received the ball, with an emphasis on clean, efficient ball handling.

This approach marked a clear shift from the earlier era when players like Roberto Carlos and Cafu still wore the City shirt — a time when flair and aggressive attacking runs were the foundation of their style.

The system now focused on building partnerships through movement, relying on precise ground passes and fast-paced transitions to break down defenses. While effective, the approach at times felt too simplistic for the evolving tactical demands of modern football.

O’Neill had initially restricted wide breakthroughs in order to establish a solid defensive foundation. Such tactics not only pushed individual players closer to the baseline and penalty area, but also forced the entire offensive structure to advance. Once the arrow is released, there’s no turning back — if the attack pushes too far forward without the ability to retreat, the pressure on the defense becomes immense.

To balance the team’s offensive and defensive dynamics, Mourinho knew he couldn’t allow the players to fully express themselves right away. Instead, he focused on building familiarity with defensive patterns and retraction phases — the moments when the team needed to fall back and regroup.

Only after that foundation was solid would he gradually introduce greater offensive freedom. This was the core of his philosophy for transforming the team: structure first, creativity second.

Mourinho brought out the whiteboard and, standing in front of the players, began illustrating a series of simple yet effective tactical routines. He explained the ideal angles for wide crosses — 45-degree deliveries aimed at the far post, and low-driven crosses from the byline targeting the near post. He also emphasized how the two forwards should position themselves in alignment with the runs of the wide players, using movement and shielding to draw defenders away and create space.

Tactics, by nature, are structured — but they must always be adapted to suit the strengths of the team.

Manchester City’s forwards were agile and sharp inside the penalty area, so the wide attacking patterns needed to play to those qualities. The variety and clarity of today’s offensive drills excited the players.

After a brief but focused explanation from the coaching staff, they eagerly split into two sides for the practice match, energized by the fresh tactical ideas.

"Okay," Mourinho called out, his voice sharp but calm. "Come closer. Just the forwards."

Of course, since the issue lately had been a dip in goal scoring, his focus now shifted to the attacking core: Ronaldo, Larsson, Shevchenko, Trezeguet, Henry.

A collection of strikers who, on their own, could tear apart any backline. But Mourinho wasn’t interested in individuals. He wanted a machine — a system where each part complemented the others. An experiment, blending different styles and strengths into one cohesive unit.

"Today," Mourinho began, drawing a quick diagram of the final third on the whiteboard, "we’re working on sharp coordination and movement in Zone 14 and the half-spaces. If we are predictable, we die. If we’re delayed, we die. So we build instinct. Understand?"

Nods all around.

He pointed to Ronaldo and Larsson. "You two — left and right flanks. I don’t want you hugging the touchline like classic wingers. Cut inside, behind their full-backs. Look for the gaps between the center-back and full-back. Use the central overloads."

Then he turned toward the defenders. "Javier, Lilian, Fabio, Joan — come here."

Manchester City’s best backline.

"Now we flip it," Mourinho said, pointing toward the box. "You four are my wall. I don’t want you to let anything through. Ronaldo, Henrik — stay. 2v4. Let’s see if you can break them."

At first, no one thought too much of it.

Even if Ronaldo and Larsson struggled to find the net, they still managed to make life miserable for the defenders.

Larsson — the Ice Man — wasn’t just making runs. He was calculating angles. His movement was relentless and razor-sharp, cutting inside and dragging Capdevila so far out of position that Cannavaro had to constantly shift over to cover.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo — unpredictable as ever — danced in and out of the half-space like a phantom. One moment he was still, the next he exploded into life, shoulder-dropping past Thuram before twisting back with a double stepover. His close control made it look like the ball was glued to his boots.

And even when the defenders shut them down, they weren’t comfortable.

Zanetti and Thuram barked instructions, calling out screens, compressing gaps, shouting "LEFT!" and "TUCK IN!" like seasoned generals under siege.

PHWEEEE~

Just as they were settling into rhythm, Mourinho blew his whistle and looked toward a player standing near the sideline.

"Claude — over here."

Claude Makelele stepped forward.

"Now we flip it," Mourinho said, pointing toward the box. "You’re my fifth wall. I don’t want anything getting through. Now it’s. 5v2. Let’s see if you can break them."

"..."

Some chuckles echoed across the field. A 2v5? And now Makelele was joining the fray?

"Coach, you serious?" Larsson asked, stretching his calves. Even Ronaldo, sweat already dripping down his brow, couldn’t help but twitch an eyebrow.

Mourinho’s eyes narrowed. "Dead serious. Come on, find the moment. Create the crack."

The defenders took their positions — Zanetti and Capdevila wide, Thuram and Cannavaro central, Makelele sitting just in front.

Midway through the drill, it happened.

Larsson drifted wide again — too wide, it seemed — pulling Capdevila with him like bait on a string.

Cannavaro looked, hesitated... then stepped over to cover.

At that moment, Ronaldo dropped deep and received a disguised no-look pass from Larsson on the half-turn. Cannavaro moved to close him down. Too late.

Ronaldo clipped a reverse pass into the space Zanetti had just vacated, and Larsson burst into it like he’d been fired from a cannon.

BOOM!

But Thuram had already read the play. The ball struck his thigh and ricocheted away.

PHWEEEE~

Mourinho blew his whistle and raised a hand to stop the session.

"David, come here," Mourinho called, then leaned in and whispered, "You’re coming on for Larsson now. But you’re not just standing around. When Ronaldo drops, you time your movement — occupy the box and attack the near post. If the defense collapses centrally, Ronaldo will attack the blind side."

Trezeguet raised his hand slightly. "What if the center-back follows me inside?"

Mourinho didn’t hesitate. "Then the lane opens up for the attacking midfielder to overlap. That’s the point — you’re not the end of the play, David. You’re the bait."

CLAP!

He clapped sharply and shouted, "Let’s walk it through once. Slowly. We’ll start with a 4 vs 5. Robert and Zinedine will join Ronaldo and David. The defending team stays the same."

Pires’s eyes lit up the moment he heard his name called. Up to this point, he’d barely featured for City — maybe 60 minutes in total across a half-season that was already nearing its end. Frustration had been building. He hadn’t expected to be called upon, which only made the moment feel even more thrilling.

Then Mourinho turned back to Trezeguet. "Remember, your role today is as the target man. Do your best to operate inside the box."

Trezeguet. nodded at the setup.

Zidane stood over the ball at the center of the mock final third. Pires took up position wide left, Ronaldo hovered in the right half-space, while Trezeguet posted up on the edge of the penalty area, shoulder to shoulder with Cannavaro.

"Ready!" Mourinho called out. "Go!"

PHWEEEE~!

Zidane rolled the ball gently to Pires.

The French winger hesitated for just a moment — enough to bait Thuram — before gliding forward and cutting inside. His touch was elegant, effortless, just enough to freeze Makelele and open the angle.

Zidane floated into space between the lines and received the ball back, instantly pivoting to his right and slipping a pass toward Ronaldo’s feet.

Ronaldo let the ball run across his body, scanning the center.

"Here!" Trezeguet barked.

However, just as everyone thought Ronaldo would release the ball, he unexpectedly held onto it — continuing his dribble — prompting a frown from Mourinho on the sideline.

Ronaldo cut inside and struck it with a firm, side-footed finish — the kind you could set your watch to.

"Pass the ball!" Trezeguet shouted in frustration, but no one was listening — Ronaldo had already curled the ball toward the top-right corner.

Buffon punched it away easily.

"Again!" Mourinho called. "Same shape, but David — be ready to drag the line again. We’re going to keep rotating until they crack."

As the players reset, sweat dripping and breath quickening, the tempo only intensified.

"Start thinking!" Mourinho barked. "Use space. Use each other. The defenders are playing chess — you need to be playing jazz."

Mourinho moved to the other side of the field, standing beside Richard, who was intently watching the players on the pitch.

Midway through the practice match, Richard quietly asked, "How’s it going? Is it working?"

Mourinho took a deep breath and nodded toward him. "Sir, I heard you’re the one who picked all the players here?"

Richard was taken aback by the out-of-nowhere question, but he nodded in confirmation.

Upon getting the confirmation, Mourinho sighed. "I’m genuinely impressed by your vision."

Although there weren’t many aging players—or even those considered to be at their peak age—on the field, their playing style and understanding of the game were top-notch.

Thanks to this, it was easy for him to implement a simple style of play: quick ball movement at their feet, without any unnecessary flair. A well-timed sequence of short passes, paired with constant off-the-ball movement to maintain connections, was more than enough.

Nearly three years under O’Neill had also allowed them to fully grasp the type of counter-attacking football Mourinho wanted, though it was a little different from what they had expected.

The next day, O’Neill and Mourinho led the team back to White Hart Lane. Just days earlier, they had secured a win at the same ground, and now, the squad returned with renewed confidence. The players were eager to prove themselves once again. Fueled by belief and momentum, they feared no opponent — certain that, on their day, they could beat anyone who stood in their way.