Fernando Torres continues to stand out on this tour of England thanks to goals and hard work. In the Middlesbrough game, which finished 2-1 to Atlético, the forward from Fuenlabrada put in a great performance, scoring his second pre-season goal and working hard for the attack. Atletico de Madrid went looking for the opposing goal right from kick-off and found it after only four minutes in a move which began and ended at the feet of Torres. He took control of the ball in his own half, shook off the attentions of two opposing players and played it wide left to Petrov. The Bulgarian wingman set off at great speed down the flank and made the goal for Torres who, after racing to the edge of the area, beat the English goalie with a low snapshot.. The performance of Atletico’s new signings (the Torres-Petrov combination looked especially promising) and the attacking philosophy in Carlos Bianchi’s team let us see what a Fernando Torres with a little more help up front is capable of.

After the break, in the fifty-eight minute, Antonio Lopez scored direct from a free-kick (from a foul committed on the Atletico captain) to put Atletico two up. From that moment, while Atletico kept trying to increase their account Boro began to look more dangerous, until, only minutes from the whistle Nemeth put one away for the home team.

Atlético thus continue with a positive record in England with three victories out of three, seven goals (two for Torres) for and only two goals conceded. Atletico finish their English tour next Sunday against West Bromwich Albion.


Photo: J. A. Sirvent