Fernando Torres returned from a knee injury in time to spearhead Spain’s attack against Honduras and Chile. And now less than 24 hours before facing Portugal in the second round, the striker spoke to Spain sports newspaper ‘AS’ ahead of the Iberian derby.

- After struggling a little during the group stages, do you feel that Spain are now even stronger going into the knockout stages?

I think we really are. Our defeat to Switzerland put immense pressure on us from day one. We were obliged to win, and in style, and I feel that the team responded well to the need to play every game like it were a final. It’s almost as if we have already gone through two knock-out rounds before facing Portugal in the second round. And now we have to approach the game against Portugal the same way, otherwise all our good work would have been for nothing.

- Why have we yet to see Spain’s classic brand of passing football?

In the first game against Switzerland we did impose our style of play. We played well, but the long grass took some of the speed out of our game. Versus the Swiss we attacked well, got the ball forward and created plenty of chances to score, but at the end of the day we failed to win, which was fundamental. We had no choice in our two final games but to be more practical in our approach to try and get the job done.

- How are you feeling? Has Torres fully recovered from injury yet?

I’m improving day by day. The recovery has gone a little slower than we expected, but I'm training with the team, and the playing time that the coach has giving me is helping with my recovery.

- So, are you happy with how things are going for you?

I am the first person to hold his hand up and say that ‘I have to give much more’, but I’m sure that the performances will arrive soon.

- It was touch and go whether or not you would make the World Cup?

After the first operation, the recovery process went perfectly and I returned from injury to score between eight or ten goals. I thought to myself that it would be the same this time around, but no two injuries are exactly the same. The second operation was where the previous surgery had taken place, so everything was a little slower and somewhat more complicated. There have also been some unforeseen problems and I’ve felt the odd twinge here and there. Since January I’ve only played 12 matches and obviously I lack match fitness. I'm very grateful to Vicente Del Bosque for handing me the opportunity to be a part of the national team without quite being yet reaching the playing level that’s expected of me. His belief in me is a great boost of confidence.

- Although you are not yet at 100%, you should have been awarded a penalty against Honduras and you played an important role in Villa’s goal versus Chile ...

I always think to myself that I could have played better. I'm still not yet playing at the standard expected of me from fans, and at the very least I should be offering the supporters that level. I've always been very demanding when it come to how I play and I know I'm not at the standard that everyone expects from me. But with every game I feel much better and I’ve still got a lot more to offer.

- Do you think that a goal would change things?

Strikers are rated on the back of their goalscoring. I have been reading the English press and nobody expected that Wayne Rooney would return from the World Cup without scoring a goal. If I had scored two goals in the game against Honduras, where I had chances to score, there would be no topic or debate, but that's football. It’s the result that counts, but it’s important that the boss and his coaching staff value the rest of my contribution. I am calm as I know that I have Vicente of Del Bosque’s full backing.

- Are you anxious to break your World Cup duck?

I would have been anxious back when I was 17, but anxiety doesn’t affect me anymore. Now I’m looking for the collective triumph, which is basically for Spain to win.

- Villa must be happy with the work that Torres puts in… dragging defenders out of position and creating space for him.

Everyone has their role. David Villa has always been our main scorer and his impressive goalscoring record for Spain speaks for itself. Everyone has to do the job assigned to them, and which is not always to score goals. The goals will come, of that I have no doubt. And yes, I know that scoring goals is also part of my role.

- At the end of the day the most important thing is that Spain scores and wins…

Absolutely. That’s out goal. Xavi and Xabi Alonso pull the strings in the middle, our back-line provide strength in defence and Villa has been getting the goals.Everyone has their own role. We have to assume our role in the side and play for the team, because at the end of the day, tournaments are won by teams. We won the European Championships playing as a team, and there will be days when one player receives the praise, and on another day it will be the turn of a teammate. The important thing is to be in this together.

- Will Spain be looking to avenge their defeat suffered at the hands of Portugal at Euro 2004?

That was a long time ago. There are two different generations of players here now and I think that only three or four players still remain from the sides who met six years ago. For the Spanish back home, it’s matches against Italy have more spice about them. I see Portugal as another rival, no more and no less. However, on Tuesday the winner will live to fight another day and the loser will be out.

- Cristiano Ronaldo Vs Spain?

No. Cristiano has shown with his performances that he works for the team. Portugal play as one. They also concede very few goals and they are very dangerous in the final third of the pitch.

- Is the Jabulani ball harder for the keeper or the attackers?

Goalkeeping mistakes always stand-out more because the ball normally ends up in the back of the bet. But the outfield players are the ones who have to come into contact with the ball a lot more during the course of a game. The ball sometimes does some strange things and there are times when you never know quite what to expect. It’s a shame that matches at a World Cup can be decided but such a factor, but that’s how it is.

- Portugal is the only country left of the 32 teams that started the World Cup yet to concede a goal…

The team defends very well. Pepe, who is back from injury, is a guarantee at the back and Carvalho is an excellent player. Bruno Alves is very good, and their two fullbacks, Miguel Ferreira and Costa, are both very solid, yet thet also contribute in attack. Coentrao out on the left is a dangerman, but there’s also Mendes, Tiago Meireles and Deco. Ronaldo and Simao offer plenty in attack, with Hugo Almeida up front. Hugo knows what’s expected of him and he knows how to deliver.

- Any doubters ahead of the game?

We are now well beyond that. We are through to the last sixteen and there will be no more surprises. Spain has to play their game and against Portugal there will be no more need to rush things.

- What’s missing for Torres to score?

I always enjoy playing in competitive evenly-balanced games. These are the matches I thrive on, but the most important thing is that Spain wins.

- Do you think you people realise the extra effort you put in to make the World Cup squad?

The effort was nothing special, every player would have done the same. I had something to fight for at the end of this season, it was my light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm here to enjoy the moment.

- Can this Spain side go all the way?

The European Championship victory changed everything. But we cannot live in the past. The current group of players must seize this chance. A French side led by Zidane won both the European Championships and the World Cup. This is our golden era, and we can’t let the opportunity pass us by. If Spain fail to win the World Cup it would be a missed opportunity, and who knows if we will get another chance.

- Back home there is Spain fever, even young children are going to school with their face painted!

When you win, there is always more euphoria. There are young children who watched how Spain won the European Championships, and they now want to relive that experience again, this time at the World Cup. During the 1994 World Cup Finals I remember how excited I was when it was Spain’s turn to play, often waking up at 3 O’clock in the morning. It’s normal for our country to go football crazy as we have just come off the back of a title victory, but there’s also the added belief that we can do it all over again. Before it was a dream, but now it’s a reality.

- What about Benitez leaving Liverpool?

I think that it was best for everyone involved. He had won everything, but during this last year they demanded too much from him.

- And what about Fernando Torres?

We will find out after the World Cup. At the moment we don’t have a manager, but right now, Torres wants to beat Portugal. The future can wait.


An Interview by J.G. Matallanas for AS sport newspaper