With less than a week to go to the first-leg of the Champions League, Real Madrid defender Cristoph Metzelder warned of the threat posed by Fernando Torres in an interview with Spanish radio station ‘Onda Cero’. The German international, who lined-up against the Spaniard in the Euro 2008 Final, described the forward as: “a very good player, fast and who has his sights firmly set on the opposition’s goal. There are very few goalscorers like Fernando around.”

Metzelder believes that Torres is “one of the toughest strikers to keep under control.” The Real Madrid centre-back also highlighted the good understanding that the Liverpool number ‘9’ and Dirk Kuyt share. “Kuyt is a hard working player, he covers a lot of the pitch, fights every ball and creates spaces for Torres.”

These words of praise come from a player who speaks with experience. Cristoph Metzelder witnessed first-hand how Fernando Torres terrorized the German defense in the European Championship, hitting the post with a downward header, before grabbing the only goal of the game.

The two may line-up again on opposing teams on Wednesday 25 February as Liverpool visit the Santiago Bernabeu in the last sixteen of the Champions League.


Photo: J.A. Sirvent