Will Fernando Torres’s big-game record influence the Madrid derby?
Sunday 4 October 2015 07:46, UK
Ahead of the Madrid derby on Sunday, Adam Bate gets the views of Guillem Balague on why there would be no more popular hero than Fernando Torres and examines the player’s big-game record to offer Atletico fans hope that he could pull it off again…
Fernando Torres's most recent goal - his 99th for Atletico Madrid - came against Eibar, the smallest club in La Liga. And yet, even against such opposition, the strike still offered a reminder of his remarkable knack for delivering on the big occasion.
The manner in which Torres lifted the ball beyond Asier Riesgo was instantly recognisable for Spanish football fans, regardless of their club allegiance. It was, after all, a photocopy of his winning goal against Germany in the Euro 2008 final.
Mundo Deportivo talked of Torres retracing his steps from that afternoon seven years ago in Austria, while Marca called it a "blast from the past" - reigniting memories of a time when only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi stood between the Spaniard and the Ballon d'Or.
Perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised. Torres has a hit list of famous goals that's the envy of many a world-class forward. He repeated his Euro 2008 feat by netting in the final once again four years' later and also has a Europa League final goal for Chelsea to his name.
Goals in World Cup and Champions League finals have escaped him, although he has won both competitions and his solo effort in the 2012 semi-final against Barcelona is as memorable as moments come. Just ask Gary Neville. The goal that launched 1,000 screams.
The fact that this latest goal came against Barcelona was significant too. Torres has reinforced his reputation as a big-game player since returning to Atletico by scoring half of his eight goals against Barcelona and Real Madrid - two each against Spain's big two.
Torres's first goals upon his return came at the Bernabeu as Atletico eliminated Real from last year's Copa del Rey. "He responds to games like this," said Diego Simeone. Since then he's twice scored the opening goal of the game against Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon.
What his goalscoring has lacked in volume in his 32 Atletico appearances since his return, it has more than compensated for in terms of theatre. In fact, he has scored against both Real and Barca within 40 seconds of kick-off. It's all added to the Torres mystique in Madrid.
He comes from a district in Madrid that is working class, he considers himself working class, so he has so much in common with the fans. The fact that he has come back makes him a legend.
Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has observed the affection for Torres among the Rojiblancos at close hand and believes the bond can hardly be overstated. "He was the saviour of the club as a 19-year-old," Balague told Sky Sports.
"He was obviously captain of Atletico Madrid while he was still a teenager and he was with the club when they got promoted in 2002. He has never hidden the fact that he is an Atletico Madrid fan. He would never join Real Madrid - unlike David de Gea.
"Generally he has always conducted himself in a very mature manner. And if you want to have someone to represent you, he is perfect for that. Even when he was at Liverpool he kept talking about his relationship with Atletico.
"He comes from a district in Madrid that is working class, he considers himself working class, so he has so much in common with the fans. They can only admire him. The fact that he has come back makes him a legend."
Coming back more in hope than expectation was one thing. Justifying the contract with performances on the pitch was quite another. And yet, that's what he has done. So often he seemed joyless in Chelsea blue, but there is now a purpose to his game - and career - again.
"Atletico is my home," said Torres. "Now I have the chance to play in the team I want." At 31, he's shown the self-awareness to embrace his bit-part role with relish. "Playing just one minute could end up more important than 90. You never know." El Nino is all grown up.
No sentiment
Simeone is no novice either and this wasn't all about sentiment. He stated from the outset that he is "only interested in the footballing side of his return" and specifically cited Torres's movement as significant in that it could give "freedom to [star player Antoine] Griezmann".
He recently added: "Torres is in really good shape. He came in really well prepared from the pre-season where he worked hard. Last year he did well and he is giving us options up front which is what we need." Moments such as the Eibar goal have backed up that assessment.
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In that game in the Basque Country and with his team struggling, Torres turned the game around. He's linking up well with new boy Angel Correa and - as the goal would suggest - is capable of doing a passable impression of the Torres of old when the opportunity arises.
"Torres looks to be rejuvenated back at Atletico," added Balague. "He looks like the Torres of his first spell at the club. He was really clever in the way he set up Angel Correa for the opener, and of course he took his goal brilliantly."
So can he trouble Real Madrid? He didn't beat them once in his first spell as an Atletico player but has already managed the feat twice at the Calderon since his return. He needs just one goal to bring up 100 for the club and add another page to his extraordinary story.
Torres admits to being "envious" of those who've won the title with Atletico but in truth it's his team-mates who should be envious of him. There would be no more popular scorer in the Calderon on Sunday. What's more, it wouldn't be a huge shock if he managed it either.
Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid is live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.25pm on Sunday
