Maybe former Atletico Madrid and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres just prefers wearing red. Whatever the case, Torres showed a glimpse of his former scoring prowess by scoring for AC Milan in his first start for the club.
The Spanish striker, who joined the Italian giants on a two-year loan deal from Chelsea last month, helped the Rossoneri come back from a 2-0 deficit to claim a point at Empoli on Tuesday. The 30-year-old headed home an Ignazio Abate cross to spark his team’s comeback.
“I’m thrilled to have scored,” Torres told Milan’s official website. “But I would change that for a win. I’m better physically but I’m not yet 100 per cent, although I am able to play.”
Torres famously went took over 900 minutes to score his first goal for Chelsea and he arrived in Italy eager to prove he can still perform at the highest level.
“I’m trying to adapt to the demands of the team,” he said. “It’s easier when you have great players around you, like I do at Milan, and now I’m getting to understand how the team plays, what type of rivals you face in Serie A, which is a different league with respect to La Liga and the Premier League.
“I am happy and I’m gaining confidence. Of course, you can always do better.”
AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi understands the challenges that a striker faces in his career because he was one himself for many years in Italy. He is hopeful that Torres can be a big contributor to Milan this season.
“Torres played a good game and scored,” he said. “I replaced him near the end of the game because he had not played a full match for a long time.”
