Simeone says 2-goal Torres proving the doubters wrong
Print Edition
ATLETICO Madrid boss Diego Simeone claimed Fernando Torres’s double to take the La Liga champion into the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey at Real Madrid’s expense had proved the former Chelsea striker’s critics wrong.
Torres scored in the first minute of each half to ruin Cristiano Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or celebrations as the Cup holder was dumped out 4-2 on aggregate after a 2-2 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“When he came out of the academy he was a boy, too young for everything that happened then but he still responded well,” said Simeone. “He went away, grew up and now is a man. I am very happy for him. In games like this he responds as he did. The fans are happy and his arrival has helped us, despite some people’s doubts.”
Torres was only handed a start due to an illness to Mario Mandzukic, but his inclusion proved to be inspired as he slotted home from Antoine Griezmann’s cross after just 46 seconds. Sergio Ramos levelled before the break, but Griezmann and Torres combined once more at the start of the second period before Ronaldo salvaged a draw on the night for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
Ancelotti lamented his side’s slow start to both halves, but believes elimination at such an early stage of the competition could help its defence of the Champions League.
“The key to the game was the two errors we committed at the start of each half, but we can’t forget other parts of the game like how we played in the first hour, which for me was spectacular. Now we have three weeks to prepare well for the Champions League and this is very good for the team.”
Atletico will play Barcelona after the later won 4-0 at Elche to move on 9-0 over both legs.
Barcelona left Lionel Messi and most of its first-choice players off the squad with the tie already in hand. And it didn’t miss them as it eased past Elche with first-half goals by Jeremy Mathieu, Sergi Roberto and Pedro Rodriguez before Adriano netted in injury time.
In Italy, Juventus demolished Hellas Verona 6-1 to reach the Italian Cup quarterfinals and remain on course for a league and cup double in Massimiliano Allegri’s first season in charge.
Sebastian Giovinco scored twice and won a penalty, which Alvaro Morata converted in front of a sell-out crowd. Roberto Pereyra, Paul Pogba and substitute Kingsley Coman also netted for Juventus, while Nene grabbed a consolation for Verona.
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