Spain and Atletico Madrid striker, Fernando Torres said that winning the Champions League would be the greatest achievement of his career. He insists that Atletico can complete a historic double by winning both, the La Liga and the Champions League this season.
Speaking to the press before tonight’s Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, the World Cup, Euro and Champions League winner said, “I feel very fortunate to have played in great teams, have unbelievable nights and trophies with Spain. But for me, personally, nothing could compare to doing it with Atleti."
El Nino as Torres is known, is on a great run of form, having scored five goals in his last six games for the club, including the opening goal against Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Also read: Torres feels Atletico yet to hit top gear
The Spain international seemed determined to help Atletico write a new chapter in their history books, “What we want to do is write new history. Hopefully, in a week's time we can say we have taken another step towards it” he said.
Torres had played for Atletico till 2008 when he left for Liverpool. He captained the side as a teenager during a difficult period and later left for Liverpool. He won the Champions League and other trophies with Chelsea but endured a personally dissatisfying time due to a lack of form. The 32-year old’s only title with Atletico is the 2001-2002 Segunda division title.
The Spaniard was playing for Chelsea when the Los Rojiblancos reached the Champions League finals in 2014. He even scored for Chelsea in a 3-1 overall loss in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. However, after a frustrating three-year spell at Chelsea, Torres returned to his boyhood club in 2015.
Atletico are preparing to reach their second Champions League semi- final in two years under the management of Diego Simeone. They face a difficult opponent in Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich who have won the competition five times. The first leg will be played at the Vicente Calderon in Madrid.
Atletico will miss their defensive stalwart and club captain Diego Godin in tonight’s game. Godin suffered a hamstring injury in the La Liga game against Athletic Bilbao. Up front, they will be relying on the attacking unit of Torres and Antoine Griezmann to make the most of the limited attacking opportunities they are likely to get against the Bavarian giants.
Also read: Diego Godin blow for Atletico Madrid
The 32-year-old striker has won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships with Spain in 2008 and 2012 in what has been a glittering career.
