Torres by Caioli, Luca -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Contents Chapter 1 Liverpool’s Number 9 Chapter 2 He is a red Chapter 3 The culprit of his success

Why did you decide on Torres as a future signing for Liverpool? What skills did he have to be one of the Reds? Your bet (on Torres), Mr Benítez, was not an easy one, considering the fee paid and the average goal tally of Fernando in his six seasons with Atlético Madrid. How in the end did this bet transform itself into a winning one? Did you think that Torres would get 33 goals in his first season? How did that happen? Why has he adapted so rapidly to Liverpool, to the club and to its playing style? Has the ‘Spanish Liverpool’ helped him much? They say that, at Liverpool, Torres is much more relaxed, has got rid of the responsibilities (captain, club image) that were suffocating him at Atlético, and that this has been one of the keys to his success. What do you think? Spanish, Italian and English managers and players all agree with the fact that you have greatly improved Fernando’s game. How have you done it? What advice did you give him? How has Fernando reacted to your orders? What has Torres brought to Liverpool’s game? How do you explain how Torres has, over such a short time, become one of the players best-loved by the fans, who compare him with legendary players like Dalglish or Rush? What is your assessment of his two seasons in the Number 9 shirt of Liverpool? What, for you, has been Torres’ happiest, his best moment with the Reds? What has been, and what is, your relationship with Torres? What kind of person is Torres now? And finally, how do you see the future and next season for Liverpool and Fernando Torres?

Chapter 4 A nice lad

What was your opinion of him when he was here at Atlético? How do you explain the fact that he has doubled his goal tally and his scoring ability since moving from Atlético to Liverpool? What role has Rafa Benítez had in Torres’ development? To be alongside a midfielder like Gerrard has helped him to grow as a player? What has English football brought to Torres? Briefly, what are the differences between English and Spanish football? Fernando’s technical qualities? For example? Since his arrival at Liverpool, do you think he has improved in certain technical respects? Human qualities? As national team manager, what advice would you give him? Before Euro 2008, there was a lot of debate about the national side’s way of playing – lots of short, horizontal passes – and that of Liverpool with their rapid movement of the ball from one end of the pitch to the other. The conclusion was that Spain’s slower style would give Torres less space and therefore fewer opportunities to score. What do you think? The role of Torres changes between Liverpool and the national side? How do you remember his goal in the final of Euro 2008? Which player does Torres resemble? From when he was very young, he’s been compared to Raúl, the captain of Real Madrid, who you know very well … Torres’ future … Do you think it’s true that he can go on even higher? The most important of those is the World Cup. How do you view that?

Chapter 5 Fuenlabrada Chapter 6 Leader of the gang

And football-wise? Juan takes up the story: Javier elaborates: So there was a lot of football at that time, then? Alexis continues: The bottom? Haven’t you forgotten about the bottle tops and the picture cards? Which team did Fernando support? Gómez senior explains:

Chapter 7 A born winner Chapter 8 A model footballer

When did you begin to work with him? How was Fernando at fifteen? And off the field, how did he behave? Abraham paused a moment before reflecting on his work … What exactly did you teach Fernando? What are your best memories of Fernando at that time? Talking of that, how did he get on with his team-mates? He didn’t want to put on any airs but he was captain of Atlético at just eighteen years of age … With all the criticism that brought with it … And what does his former coach say now? Has he improved? And the human side? Has that changed?

Chapter 9 The Torres generation Chapter 10 A special dedication

Let’s go back to April 2001 and the Under-16 European championship and – I’m sorry to remind you of this – another injury … You left and your team-mates promised to dedicate the goals in the semi-final against Croatia to you. And did you get to see the dedication this time? Why was there this very special relationship? As you did for him in the Under-19 final in Oslo? Iñaki Sáez, the manager of that Under-19 side said that you were the one who best understood Fernando? What are Fernando’s skills? Which player does he most resemble? And do you remember that, at that time, Fernando never stopped talking about Van Basten? Which is not the case with Torres, who’s also been your opponent? Let’s move on from confrontations to the national side. How would you describe the experience of winning the Euro 2008 tournament playing in the same team? And how did you both get on together? How did you feel when Fernando got the goal against Germany? What do you talk about now when you meet up in the national side? And what has Fernando told you about Liverpool? What do you think of the change he’s undergone since going to Liverpool? And what do you think about the success he’s enjoying in England? And finally, do you see yourself lifting the World Cup with Fernando?

Chapter 11 A fairy tale Chapter 12 Yogurt

And how did the dressing room view him? Why was that? So much so that Fernando, to pay homage to you, celebrated some of his goals by posing as an archer, an unusual celebration which you yourself made famous. And some people say that Fernando, during the 2006–07 season against Real Madrid, repeated the goal that you scored in the Champions League ten years earlier? Can we go back to Fernando’s debut in the Calderón? And he showed what he could do at Albacete, in his second game with the first team. In the pictures of that match, one can see you alongside the subs’ bench smiling and kissing the badge. That goal was the subject of much celebration both in the stands and on the pitch. But at the end of the season, the celebrations weren’t repeated. Eight years have gone by since then. How do you view Fernando now? What do you mean? Did you think it would all happen so quickly? It’s also thanks to the goal in the final of Euro 2008.

Chapter 13 In El Niño’s hands Chapter 14 He’s earned it the hard way

What do you think now of Fernando? But that 2006–07 pre-season didn’t begin well. You declared that you could not guarantee Torres his place in the team. The newspapers were saying that Manchester United were ready to pay 37 million Euros for El Niño. How did Torres get on with you and with the dressing room in general? What struck you about Torres? And what was good about Fernando as a footballer? Why did he leave at the end of the season? Did you know about his agreement with Liverpool? The pressure at Atlético was too much for him? Yes, but the change has been impressive … The best moment, the fondest memory? Would it worry you to encounter him again with Mexico?

Chapter 15 Real hope

How was Torres viewed when he was in Spain? What kind of criticism did the Spanish media make? And how is the image of Torres now in the Spanish media? A lot of commentators, not only in the English but also the Spanish media, had doubts about Torres’ chances of success at Liverpool … Why was there this big change between Atlético Madrid and Liverpool? How important is Rafa Benítez in this change? And he’s also done good psychological work with him … What about the image of Fernando in the English media? What does Fernando Torres now represent in English football and at Liverpool in particular? Now, the future. Someone said he’s still got a lot more improving to do.

Chapter 16 Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1 Chapter 17 A perfect marriage

How did he seem to you when you went to film at Anfield? Nice story. Having seen what Liverpool is and what it represents, did you think that Fernando would have such a tremendous first season? In what way? OK, tell me the truth. Do you like this Liverpool team? According to a survey in The Times, El Niño is Number 50 in the list of the best players in the history of Liverpool. What do you think?

Chapter 18 Liverpool 4 West Ham 0 Chapter 19 He’s going to stay

And what does he think now? What’s the best match that Fernando Torres has had during his two years at Liverpool? Have their been any games that have really showcased his particular talents? How has he managed to adapt so quickly to the history of the club and to the way Liverpool play? What are the main differences and similarities between Liverpool when you were a player and the Liverpool today of Rafa Benítez and Fernando? Having met Fernando on two or three occasions, what is he like? What are the similarities between you and Fernando? Which Liverpool player from the past most resembles Torres? What does Liverpool need to do to get to the same level as Manchester United and to win the Premier League? How do you see the future of Fernando Torres in Liverpool? You were at Anfield for the 20th anniversary of Hillsborough. You saw Fernando and all the team – it’s a special day for Liverpool, no? Having been a manager of Liverpool yourself, what suggestions can you give to Fernando Torres?

Chapter 20 Spain 4 Russia 1 Chapter 21 Sweden 1 Spain 2 Chapter 22 Germany 0 Spain 1 Chapter 23 Ambitious

And what are your memories of the winning goal? What was the hardest moment of Euro 2008? Most countries envied Spain’s striker duo of Villa and Torres. Is it true that it was you who got them to understand each other better over a ‘fabada’ (an Asturian bean stew)? Talking of food, it seems that your wife’s tortilla (Spanish omelette) has helped Torres adapt to Liverpool? What advice did you give Fernando to help him when he arrived? Did you ever imagine that Fernando would do what he did in his first season with the Reds? But this last season hasn’t been fantastic … How do you rate the 2008–09 season? How is Torres seen from the perspective of the Liverpool goal? And as an adversary? Since when have you known each other? What is the quality that strikes you most about Fernando? Torres is a star of the team? And he’s also the ‘pin-up boy’ of the team …

Chapter 24 Atlético de Madrid 1 Liverpool 1 Chapter 25 A danger

Does the team feel different when Torres isn’t there, like in the match with Atlético? You were in the team for the Liverpool-Chelsea match on 1 February 2009. How do you remember that game? It was an important match for him as well, wasn’t it? How would you describe Torres, seen from behind, from the Reds’ defence? Lucky or unlucky? Liverpool has helped you get into the national side and turned Torres into one of the best players in the world. How did it happen? And in two years he’s already an idol … Of course you, together with Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina, have met Dalglish, Souness and Sammy Lee in person. What were your impressions? How does a new player get to understand the values of a club like Liverpool? What advice did they give you when you arrived in January 2007 and what advice did you give to Fernando? You grew up in the ‘white factory’, as Don Alfredo Di Stefano calls it and then, aged 24, you arrived at Liverpool. What do you think have been the main differences? Tell us about this different culture … It was a job well done, the Anfield game against Real Madrid? What’s life like in the Spanish Liverpool? Speaking of Benítez, what kind of a person is he? A survey by (the Italian newspaper) La Gazzetta dello Sport elected him as the best trainer, ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson, José Mourinho and Fabio Capello …

Chapter 26 Third Place Chapter 27 A Hartung

Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Torres: European Footballer of the Year, one, two and three and the same order for the FIFA World Player of the year. What do you think? How is such a major transformation possible? But he had responsibility at Atlético – he was captain and was just eighteen at the time … Maybe English football is well suited to his style of play? Have Liverpool and Rafa Benítez had an important role in this transformation? What has Torres brought to Liverpool? Liverpool almost always use Torres as a lone striker … Let’s talk about how well Torres and the other Spanish players have settled in at this historic club … It’s impressive to see how Torres has become an idol for the fans at Liverpool … It seems that El Niño understood straightaway the values of the club. How is that possible? Would you be pleased to have Torres at your disposal for the England side? OK let’s talk instead about the past, Euro 2008 and the influence of Torres in the Spanish national side … The strike pairing of Torres and Villa at Euro 2008 had all the commentators drooling and the Liverpool fans dreaming of seeing the two playing together in red shirts. How do you see them? As he demonstrated in the friendly against England last February? Let’s go back a bit to your last period as manager of Real Madrid. What was your impression then of Torres? Nevertheless, in the away match of the 2006–07 season with your Real Madrid team, it was he who scored the first goal, while in the home match there was controversy following your comments on an incident involving Torres … You have played with and managed champion players in Italy, Spain and England. Who does Fernando Torres remind you of? Why? Many have compared him to Marco Van Basten, a player who you managed for several seasons at Milan … We now come to the 2008–09 season, which, for Torres, has been full of injuries with one problem after another … How would you describe – pictorially – the playing style of Torres?

Chapter 28 Liverpool 4 Real Madrid 0 Chapter 29 A horse that needs to run

The Daily Mirror writes that Torres, in the first chance of the match, goes round you as if you were ‘a Sunday league player, not one of the most decorated men in the game …’ With you, and above all with Pepe, Torres had quite a lot to smile about … Is it difficult to mark Torres? Why? In what sense? How do you explain this change? He’s benefited from the Benítez system … Since we’re on the subject of Italy-Spain, the quarter-final of Euro 2008 was decisive in determining Spain’s destiny … Apart from not conceding too much space, what would a coach’s advice be to a defender who needs to close down a striker like Fernando Torres? In a list of the world’s best strikers, where would you put Torres? Which areas? Who does Torres resemble? Torres said some time ago that in a few years, to complete his career, he would like to play in Italy and try Serie A. What do you think of that? Talking of national sides, how do you view the chances of champions Torres & Co. in the next World Cup?

Chapter 30 Manchester United 1 Liverpool 4

2nd minute 3rd minute 6th minute 21st minute 22nd minute 23rd minute 28th minute 31st minute 34th minute 36th minute 37th minute 41st minute 43rd minute 44th minute 44th minute 45th minute +3 Half-time 48th minute 49th minute 59th minute 60th minute 64th minute 66th minute 68th minute 71st minute 73rd minute 76th minute 77th minute 78th minute 79th minute 81st minute

Chapter 31 You’d be happy if your daughter brought him home

Let’s start with last season’s big Premier League clash between Manchester United and Liverpool. What do you think of the performance of Liverpool and particularly of Torres? Despite this result, Manchester and Alex Ferguson went on to win the league again. It’s nineteen years since Liverpool won it. What more does Liverpool need to do to win it? What is the main difference between your Liverpool, the ‘glorious’ Liverpool, and the current Liverpool? As a manager and former captain of Liverpool, what’s your technical judgement of Fernando Torres? What is his contribution to Liverpool? When Liverpool and Rafa Benítez chose Fernando Torres, many commentators said it was a risk for the amount of money they paid. How then, did he score 33 goals in his first season? This was explosive and a revelation, no? It isn’t easy to enter into the history and spirit of a club, particularly a club like Liverpool. How did he manage to do this so quickly? And you met him, in the programme that Michael Robinson made last year. What was your impression of him? He doesn’t speak a lot but he knows how to play … How do you see Torres’ future at Liverpool? What for you are Torres’ best moments, best goal or best moves during his two years at Liverpool? Finally, one more question. It’s out of curiosity more than anything. Was it Michael Robinson who called you ‘The Cat’, or you who called him ‘The Cat’?

Chapter 32 The same as always

OK, so how has he changed, the boy who began playing for Atlético Madrid and has now conquered the world? And Julián, how does he seem to you now, in Liverpool? What does he really love doing? Is he calmer and more relaxed than he was in Madrid? What do you talk about now when you meet up? OK then, what do you think of his success in England? Why? Do you envy him for his money, fame and success?

Chapter 33 The Kid

How would you define the Atlético feeling? Will you come back to Atlético? Do you think your departure from Atléti has already been worth it or won’t this be true until you win some silverware? Do you get on better with the club people at Liverpool than with those at Atléti? Who do you feel more at home playing with, Mascherano and Xabi Alonso or Xavi and Iniesta? How are things with Gerrard? How did you know it was him? Did you notice his number? Can you tell us how you felt the first time you went through underneath the shield that says ‘This Is Anfield’ and came out onto the pitch? Who has given you more as a trainer, Rafa Benítez or Luis Aragonés? If Rafa Benítez were to be chosen as trainer of Real Madrid, would you go with him as a player? If Barcelona and Real Madrid made the same offer for you, which one would you go for? Which striker from the Spanish Liga would you take with you to Liverpool as a partner in the attack? What would it take for Liverpool to win the Premier League? What was your first press conference in English like? By the media pressure? How did you feel when it turned out that Liverpool would face Atlético? What went through your mind when you scored against Real Madrid at Anfield? How did you feel when you netted the winning goal in the European Championship against Germany? And now, having realised that dream, it doesn’t seem so hard to make others come true: to become world champions … What do you need to be the same Fernando Torres for the national side as you are at Liverpool? What is Vicente del Bosque like? What would give you the bigger thrill, winning the World cup or the Champions League? What’s the best league in the world, the English or the Spanish? Who is the best player in the world for you? And it comes to the last question … Torres, can I have my picture taken with you?

Career record

Personal summary Early career Atlético de Madrid

Appearances

Liverpool

Appearances

Spain

Tournaments played:

Honours won Individual Honours

Bibliography

Newspapers

Spain

UK Italy France Websites

Acknowledgements

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