The Europa League semifinal cast a long shadow over Tenerife. Their next challenge was Ralf Rangnick's Schalke, a team that was not to be taken lightly—seasoned, technically gifted, and solid in their structure.
In the strategy room, Laurence and his coaching staff were burning the midnight oil, analyzing Schalke's quick transitions, deadly set-piece strategies, and their ever-adaptive tactics.
But before they could dream of European success, they had domestic matters to attend to.
1. Away vs. Espanyol
With player fatigue in mind, Laurence opted for a slightly rotated squad. Neymar, still recovering from the tough match against Benfica, started on the bench. Antoine Griezmann took the lead, supported by Ricardo Quaresma and Joel.
Espanyol, comfortably mid-table but known for being tricky opponents, had no plans to roll over.
From the get-go, Tenerife struggled to find their groove. The midfield duo of Kikoto and Ricardo León couldn't hit their stride, leaving Griezmann isolated and Quaresma's crosses going astray.
In the 32nd minute, the hosts took advantage of Tenerife's sluggish start, converting a messy corner into the first goal.
It took a moment of pure brilliance to salvage a point.
In the 68th minute, Joel made a clever cut inside and delivered a precise, low pass across the goal, allowing Griezmann to finish it off with ease.
Final Score: Espanyol 1–1 Tenerife
Laurence accepted the single point.
2. Home vs. Mallorca
Back at the buzzing Heliodoro Rodríguez López, the energy was palpable as Neymar made his return to the starting lineup.
Laurence switched back to his tried-and-true formation: a compact 3-4-1-2, with Casemiro and N'Golo Kanté holding down the midfield, and Griezmann teaming up with Wilfried Bony up front.
The tactical shift paid off right away. João Cancelo and Andy Robertson really opened up the field, taking full advantage of the wings while Casemiro directed the play like a true maestro.
Neymar stole the show in the first half, going on a mesmerizing solo run before curling in one of his signature finishes into the far corner.
In the second half, Bony added to the score, perfectly positioned to tap in a classic striker's goal.
As the fans reveled in the 2–0 win, Laurence's accolades were aimed at the defense.
Antonio Luna and Kalidou Koulibaly were rock-solid, and Raphaël Varane seemed to find his rhythm amidst the frantic pace of Spanish football.
"A clean sheet today was far more crucial than the goals," Laurence remarked enigmatically during his post-match press conference, clearly signaling the looming challenge from the Germans.
3. Away vs. Getafe
Playing away at Getafe is like going to the dentist—it's tough, gritty, and tightly contested.
To keep his key players safe from injury, Laurence made significant changes. Nino García teamed up with Varane in defense, while Natalio and Quaresma took on more advanced attacking roles.
The experimental lineup faced an early setback.
In the 18th minute, Getafe's relentless pressure paid off with a powerful header at the near post that left goalkeeper Sergio Aragoneses with no chance.
Tenerife seemed shaken, but the makeshift central duo of Kanté and Kikoto stood firm.
They fought their way back into control, piece by piece.
In the 56th minute, Carlos Bellvís sprinted down the wing and sent in a precise, low cross that Natalio skillfully finished off.
Getafe threw everything they had at the goal in the final minutes, but a trio of stunning, acrobatic saves from Aragoneses secured the draw.
Final Score: Getafe 1–1 Tenerife
With the domestic matches behind them, the training ground morphed into a cutting-edge hub of creativity and strategy.
Laurence and his right-hand man, Victor, burned the midnight oil, analyzing every detail of Rangnick's tactics. Schalke thrived on vertical play—rapid transitions and a relentless pursuit of space behind the opponent's midfield.
Laurence understood that sitting back and letting them dictate the game would be a recipe for disaster. They needed to take control of the situation. As he gathered his squad in the tactical room, he unveiled the game plan:
"They want us to panic. They expect us to fold under their pressure. But we're going to outsmart them. We'll draw them in—and then we'll strike wide."
[Schalke Press: Narrow & Aggressive]
│ (Lure them inward)
[Tenerife Midfield: Short, Quick Passes]
│ (The Trap is Sprung)
[Long Diagonal Switches] ── [Neymar / Cancelo Isolated vs. Slow Fullbacks]
Instead of trying to break through Schalke's tight central press, Tenerife focused on enticing the Germans with quick, central passes before suddenly switching the play with long diagonals to Neymar or Cancelo, setting up 1v1 matchups against Schalke's slower full-backs.
Griezmann and Joel dedicated hours to perfecting corner routines, aiming to leverage the aerial strength of Luna and Koulibaly, while Neymar honed his near-post deliveries, designed to catch a packed box off guard.
Victor pushed the team through intense defensive drills, sharpening their offside trap, enhancing communication, and ensuring the center-backs operated as a cohesive, unyielding unit.
Up front, a fully fit Griezmann seamlessly worked on positional rotations with Bony, fluidly shifting between being a deadly poacher and a deep-lying playmaker. The chemistry was hitting its peak at just the right time.