Torres could be crucial for Atletico Madrid
Fernando Torres' reemergence could be crucial for Atletico Madrid
Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo got a hand to the ball as the 31-year-old rounded him. It might have knocked the forward, who has seemed low on confidence and self-esteem recently, out of his stride, but he just about kept control of the ball -- and his footing. Then he showed remarkable composure to dance around a despairing lunge from Bailly and wait for Victor Ruiz to commit himself on the line before slotting into an empty net to win the game for Atleti in a 1-0 result.
It would be a lie to say the end result of that run was "never in doubt." Since returning to the Vicente Calderon, Torres might have been welcomed and treated like a returning hero, but aside from an initial double against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, he has not really done a great deal in his second stint with the club. He had found the net just once in the league against Getafe and scored an own goal in a 2-2 draw at Malaga before Wednesday's match-winning cameo.
With the game on edge and Atleti needing a win to keep themselves in pole position for a third-place finish and automatic qualification to next season's Champions League, they needed a hero. All eyes might have been on Antoine Griezmann, who hadscored eight in his previous five gamesbefore Wednesday, but the Frenchman's return against Atleti's direct rivals this season has been paltry, and he endured another ineffectual night in Castellon.
Fortunately, Torres stepped up to the plate.
Although it would be irrational to suggest, after just two goals in 16 La Liga appearances since his return, that El Nino is "back," there was enough in his half-hour showing to suggest there might just be light at the end of the tunnel for the side's No. 19.
The intent and menace he showed when running at Villarreal's high backline were akin to the Torres of yesteryear and caused a number of problems with his pace and trickery both before and after his goal.
With rumours of a potential transfer ban circulating, Diego Simeone will need to keep his squad together this summer and eek even more out of each member of the side. Torres's positive display will give the Argentine comfort when looking forward to next season. Keep up that level of display, and he will be more than the glorified cheerleader and fan appeaser many felt he was signed to be.
His performance should see him rewarded with a starting berth as Athletic Club come to town this weekend, especially given Mario Mandzukic's injury problems. The Calderon faithful will be hoping to see their man kick on and help their side seal the win that would just about all but seal their seat at Europe's top table for next season. Over to you, Fernando.
It will not be easy, as the Basque side is undefeated in their past three matches, having scored six and conceded just once. The club has gone about putting a dodgy start to the season behind it to now find itself knocking on the door of the Europa League places. Both teams have small margins for error if they are to attain their continental objectives for next season, and it promises to be a tighter affair than when Atleti emerged 4-1 victors from San Mames in December.
Jan Oblak, who was again brilliant between the sticks against Villarreal, can expect a busy evening Saturday, when 15-goal striker Aritz Aduriz comes to town.
The Slovenian goalkeeper has been a consistent performer in recent weeks, putting a dodgy start to life at Atletico behind him to show himself as one of the best young stoppers in Europe. You would be hard-pushed to find a better goalkeeper than he in Spanish football right now.
In front of him, centre-back Diego Godin looked back to his brilliant best, while midfielders Koke, Gabi and Tiago are all finishing the season well. Griezmann bagged a hat-trick the latest time the sides met and will be hoping to add to his record tally of 22 league goals this campaign alongside Torres up top.
Should Simeone's men continue their impressive run of 11 La Liga games without a loss, then this season's principal objective will have been secured and it can be considered a job well done. The title defence was a farfetched idea, but ensuring another year of Champions League football is exactly what was required if the club is to continue to mix it with the big two in Spain.
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