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Torres on his feelings for Atlético

Ten months on from his return to Atlético Madrid, striker Fernando Torres explains what it means to represent his boyhood club in the UEFA Champions League.

Fernando Torres: on 99 goals for Atlético
Fernando Torres: on 99 goals for Atlético ©AFP/Getty Images

On what it means to play in the UEFA Champions League for boyhood team Atlético ...

It is very special, because I have experienced a Champions League match as a fan in the Calderón stadium, and last season I got to play in one. It's just something I always dreamt of as a child, and many years have gone by, and I was abroad for many years and away from this club, preventing me from experiencing it. That is an extra present that this return to Atlético gave me. Now it's all about enjoying it, and I know what this competition means to the fans. So let's hope we can produce some good performances. 

On his senior role at Atlético ...

I came to a club I knew before [I returned] and had found tough to play against. There are many players I have played with at other teams before or even played with in the youth team of Atlético, and I always followed them as a fan when I was in England, because I saw them being successful with a team where I always wanted to be successful.

So the first time I got back here I wanted to learn the difference between the Atlético I played with and the current team. So I have actually learned more than I have been able to teach.

But then, of course the young people see you in a different way.  And to be able to help the youngsters who deserve it with their enthusiasm, that is just priceless for me. 

©Getty Images

On their approach to the UEFA Champions League this season ...

Once we started to play with this new team we analysed the situation. We knew it was very important to win [at Galatasaray] ahead of the home match against Benfica. We won in Turkey, but it wasn't our plan to lose here at home against Benfica.

So we need the points even more in the upcoming matches but we are confident that we will make it into the next round, which is our short-term objective.

We want to finish first in our group, because you have more advantages, or let's say fewer disadvantages, in the next round. We are at that point now to know that we need six points in our next two matches. That's clear, and then we will play again against Benfica and Galatasaray to determine first spot.      

On the back-to-back games with Astana ...

On paper we are the favourites, but not really knowing them can be a real danger. In such matches we have to focus on ourselves, play our game, keep the concentration that you need in Champions League matches, and approach it with the determination to win.

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