Atltico Success Thrills Torres

Torres, who moved to Liverpool from Atleti last summer in a deal worth around £20 million, came through the ranks at the Vicente Calderón before making almost 250 appearances for the first team, scoring nearly 100 goals in the process.

But despite losing the striker to Liverpool last season, the rojiblancos went on to enjoy a successful season finishing fourth in La Liga by qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in twelve years.

Torres admitted that he was happy to see his former club doing well and believes their success is all down to coach Javier Aguirre.

The Spanish striker paid tribute to his former manager and, speaking to DPA, he said: “He’s the one who qualified [Atletico] for the Champions [League] after a 12-year absence.”

He went on to reveal how he had always enjoyed got on well with Aguirre, who will remain at Atletico next season and oversee their Champions League campaign. Torres said: “I have always had a good relationship with all my coaches.”

Man Management

The Liverpool man also went on to explain how his relationship with his managers worked. He said: “They all relied on me, made me play and I paid them back for their confidence on the pitch.”

Since moving from Atletico to Liverpool Torres has enjoyed a successful spell in English football. He scored 24 league goals last season and broke Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record as the most prolific foreign striker in a debut season.

Spain will be hoping that Torres brings his Premier League form into Euro 2008 and his partnership with David Villa may be the key to Spanish success.

The Spanish have been drawn in Group D along with Russia, Sweden and holders Greece and are tipped as one of the favourites to win the tournament.


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