Simeone: Torres decision close

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone says Fernando Torres’ future will be decided “over the next few days” ahead of Saturday’s trip to Espanyol.

Torres has shown signs of rediscovering his goalscoring form after netting twice in his last two games, including an away goal at Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, and Simeone is ready to give the striker another go at Cornella-El Prat.

“It’s hard to put [why we were upset after Barca] into something concrete. The facts are easier than words,” the Coach said at a Press conference.

“[On rotating], there are four days between one game and another, so there’s time to recover.

“We haven’t yet decided the XI [for Espanyol], but the priority is [Saturday’s] game no doubt.

“[Fernando] Torres is doing a good job, and he’ll play again [on Saturday].

“[On a new contract], the club will report what the decision is in this regard over the next few days.

“The Atletico fans know that [Saturday] is a big game. We have the enthusiasm and expectation of competing until the end and must only worry about ourselves. Then, whatever happens, so be it.

“I don’t feel that way [on whether games against Barca are stressful]. Games against them are important and beautiful.

“[On the risk of retrospective punishment from UEFA], we believe Espanyol are very good on the counterattack, with good results, and became strong internally with their change of Coach.

“I’m only focused on [Saturday], I don’t care about anything else.”

Tags Diego Simeone Fernando Torres
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