Why Fernando Torres Was Atletico Madrid’s Most Surprising Player in 2015/16

Atletico Madrid have one game left in their 2015/16 season, and it just happens to be a pretty big one.

Los Rojiblancos will take on local rivals Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final, a repeat of two years ago and a one-off match that could turn a good season into perhaps the most memorable of all time from an Atleti standpoint.

There are many who have contributed enormously to the campaign so far, and most of them are players Diego Simeone and Co. would expect nothing less from.

But there has been a pleasing couple of months on the report cards for a few thanks to some displays well above what might have been considered within their powers, such as Saul, Lucas Hernandez or Angel Correa—while Luciano Vietto and Oliver Torres are at the other end of the scale after disappointing with their output.

The most surprising of all, though, is Fernando Torres, with the striker having turned around his game entirely and now carrying the hopes of many into a European final.

Starting role

Back in August, Torres’ role was clear: he would start some games but certainly not all, almost time-sharing with Jackson Martinez as the Colombian looked to bed into the side, find his way with new team-mates and eventually become the No. 1 striker. The latter part never happened, of course, and Martinez was quickly shifted on.

Torres’ role was largely summed up by the group stages of the Champions League: he played in all six games but featured for the full 90 minutes only once. He didn’t score, either, but he put in committed displays, ran the channels, linked play nicely and made a good impact once or twice.

He …

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