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The emergency striker became the youngest Spaniard to score in three consecutive Champions League games after scoring a 3-0 win at Marseille
Ferran Torres began his career in Manchester City quietly.
The Spanish international has had to wait patiently for his chances since arriving from Valencia over the summer for a £ 21 million ($ 27 million) deal, but made the most of them when they arrived.
Torres’ crucial opening in the 3-0 Champions League win against Marseille on Tuesday night means only Raheem Sterling has been involved in more goals for City this season.
In addition to scoring three goals for his new club, the winger has already racked up two assists, not bad for a player who has only started four of City’s first nine games and has been an unused substitute in three of the others.
With injured forwards Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus remaining in Manchester, Torres had the challenging role of playing as a center forward in France.
Pep Guardiola admitted that it is not an easy role, especially for a young player accustomed to stretch opponents by playing at the width allowed by the size of the field.
However, Torres clearly doesn’t lack self-confidence. Any player willing to take over the number 21 jersey of club legend David Silva clearly has the courage to take on any challenge.
Torres fought bravely all night at the Stade Velodrome, even though the chances were few and far between against a less adventurous Marseille side who played with five on defense and rarely made it out of their own half.
He earned his goal and the praise of his manager.
“Ferran has established himself [in Manchester] very well, “said Guardiola afterwards.” He is not a striker, so I congratulate him and I would say: ‘Thank you for making the effort to play in this position’.
“It is not easy as a striker to play a 4-5-1 because there are so many players there and there is no space around but he scored a goal.
“Until Gabriel and Sergio return, we don’t have many strikers, so now we have the possibility to play Ferran in this position.”
Aguero could face another month after suffering a hamstring injury, but hopefully Jesus can return in the next 10 days.
Torres, at least, has proved he can be a viable alternative to Sterling, who has generally taken on the role of emergency striker.
The 20-year-old has now scored in his last three Champions League appearances, becoming the youngest Spanish player to achieve the feat.
He is also the second City player, after Mario Balotelli in 2011, to score in his first two Champions League appearances for the club.
His first came in last Wednesday’s 3-1 win against Porto when he came in as a substitute in the second half, alongside Phil Foden.
They combined brilliantly to open a stubborn defense for the third goal that killed the game, with Torres smashing a ferocious blow in the upper corner.
The pair have already formed a lively partnership, with their 20-year-old partner adding energy and resourcefulness to a tired side that is struggling to find its pace after a test campaign start.
They connected well again in the Velodrome, with Guardiola refreshing his squad by giving a youthful look to his front line.
Foden played on the left, having earned his lure by turning the match against West Ham over the weekend, and was again City’s liveliest player, having a hand in City’s second goal which was ended by Ilkay Gundogan. before Sterling clinched a comfortable win.
With two wins out of two, City have taken strong control of Group C.
A hectic schedule means Guardiola would really like to qualify for the knockout stages as quickly as possible and four points in the next two games against Olympiakos group outsiders would almost certainly achieve that goal.
“It is important to start the Champions League with two wins because it helps us. We are so close now to the round of 16, “added the City boss.
Torres’ Champions League goals may have come very early in the season, but they could potentially prove very important to City’s results. Just like its strength and versatility.
The Man City deal could simply provide Guardiola with an invaluable alternative in attack.
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