Álvaro de Bazán commanded the central reserve and therefore held the freedom to reinforce the decisive point. Philip II trusted him as the experienced professional to employ ships wherever the line began to fail or an opportunity appeared. The Venetian galleasses compensated for the Holy League's numerical disadvantage with heavy cannon and an ability to disrupt the Ottoman approach. Their fire could shape the fight before individual galleys locked into boarding actions. Restricted maneuvering space made Bazán's judgment and the initiative of other senior subordinates especially valuable once the formations became committed.
Notable Point · 37:46-40:17
Santa Cruz's reserve and the Venetian galleasses
The fleet placed its most experienced naval professional in reserve while Venetian galleasses supplied battle-shaping artillery.