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ESPN staff 8y

Atletico's Fernando Torres backed for Spain role at Euro 2016 by Xabi Alonso

Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has said that if Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres continues to play well he should be considered for Spain at the European Championship.

Torres and Alonso were Liverpool teammates from 2007 to 2009 and won two European Championship and a World Cup together for Spain before Alonso's international retirement in 2014. The two will meet on Wednesday when Bayern face Los Colchoneros at the Vicente Calderon stadium for their Champions League semifinal first leg.

"If he continues at this level, he will surely have the chance to play at Euros, although Vicente [Spain coach Del Bosque] has the last word," Alonso told AS about Torres, who has scored seven goals in his last 11 games.

"I am happy to see him back to his best form and he looks very happy at Atletico," Alonso said of the 32-year-old striker who has returned to his boyhood club on loan from AC Milan. "The fans love him and he is an idol there. He is also a great friend because of all the experiences we have lived together. But on the field we are not friends. He seems happy and well-loved, and I am glad for him. I hope he continues that way after this [semifinal] tie."

Alonso, who is preparing to play in his ninth Champions League semifinal, added that Bayern Munich are not taking anything for granted heading into Wednesday's match against the Rojiblancos, who eliminated defending champions Barcelona in the quarterfinal.

"There are no such thing as favourites in a Champions League semifinal," he told the Bundesliga's official website. "Even if Atletico had knocked out any other top team, I would still think the same. This just goes to show that Atletico are a really top club."

The 34-year-old, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and Real Madrid in 2014, said that Bayern coach Pep Guardiola was well aware of Atletico's defensive abilities.

"That is one of their strengths," he said. We know that they are well prepared and we know how they can overcome suffering and come out on top. That is why they are among Europe's elite. This will be a very close tie and it will cost us unless we play at 100 percent.

Alonso said Guardiola has helped him improve his game after bringing him to the Allianz Arena on a free transfer in 2014.

"He is very methodical and a student of the game and has helped me with many details," Alonso said. "He has this vision of the game because he was a midfielder like me. He has shown me how to interpret the match, make the correct decisions and to anticipate what our opponent will do. I have no doubt that he will leave a legacy here and even if we don't go to the final, this will have been a fantastic season. I will have good memories and I don't feel that we will have failed if we don't win Champions League."

Alonso added that he is not upset that Guardiola is heading to Manchester City at the end of the season.

"I respect his decision because his future is in play," Alonso said. "He is receiving the same amount of support from the players and the club because we are all working toward the same goal.

"You can see Pep's influence. He had much success in Spain, but now the German teams are playing better and they have better opportunities at the level of Europe.

"Pep's ahead of his time. Control of the game and of the ball are decisive words. That's the best way to win games. Guardiola has defined a philosophy and laid foundations that will help Bayern in the future. It's also about having a squad which is armed for the present and the future, in order to be able to deliver consistently good performances. We're in pretty good shape now and for the future."

Alonso said he believes Guardiola's experience with matches at the Calderon would help the Bundesliga club and does not necessarily see an advantage in playing the second leg at home.

"Pep Guardiola knows the atmosphere there at least as well, but all I can say is that we're prepared for the atmosphere we can expect there," he said. "I don't know if that will be a big factor in the end [playing the second leg at the Allianz Arena]. Of course conceding goals in the first leg can be a big factor psychologically, but then you've always got to remember that you've got a second part to the tie -- the return leg."

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