Football
9y

Fernando Torres says he'll fight for Atletico Madrid titles

Atletico Madrid forward Fernando Torres said he will fight for titles and that the club's performance level "should be better than last season."

Torres returned to his boyhood club in January after 7½ up-and-down years at Liverpool, Chelsea and Milan, in a loan deal involving both Chelsea and Milan in what he said was an effort to relaunch his career.

"It's difficult to arrive midway through the season, as I did last season. We all want to play, and in the end the coach's decision is fair," Torres told AS about his former teammate and Colchoneros coach Diego Simeone. 

Los Rojiblancos start La Liga play on Aug. 22 against newly promoted Las Palmas minus Arda Turan, but with the youthful promise in additions of Luciano Vietto, Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco and Jackson Martinez.

With the help of striker Antoine Griezmann, Atletico were able to secure Champions League qualification for the third season running in addition to securing the local bragging rights in the capital with a league double over local rivals Real Madrid.

"For me, Atletico is my home. I was born here, raised here and played most of career for Atleti... to play in the team I want to play for is a great honour and last year, the year I came home, was special for me," the 30-year-old said. "I took part in important moments for the team and, above all, helped to achieve the goal of ensuring Champions League football this season. The level of this Atlético team should be better than last season."

Torres came through the ranks at Atletico, captaining the team as a teenager and scoring 91 goals in 244 games before leaving for Liverpool in 2007.

He promised to fight for titles.

"If you are envious it's not good... Raul Garcia, Koke, Gabi... I admire them all as I did Kiko, [Danilo] Pantic, [Jose Luis] Caminero and the team that won the double. My teammates have marked the path of this club," he said. "This is the true Atleti and I can only admire them. Of course I want to win titles here, that's what I've always wanted and I'll fight for them. I want to give back to the fans what they gave to me and if that can be with titles it'll be much better. My teammates know what to do and we just have to continue."

Torres also added that he is not bothered by rivalry amongst teammates.

"It's normal that teams reinforce and this is what brings good competition," he said. "Competition for places has always been tough and that's what enables you to win titles. This has to be our ambition this season and to improve on last year."

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