Torres moves ahead of Gameiro in the pecking order
El Niño is set to start against Celta, and currently finds himself in front of the Frenchman in the battle to partner Griezmann in the Atlético attack.
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Torres earns his place
Fernando Torres is set to be handed a starting place when Atlético Madrid entertain Celta at the Vicente Calderón on Sunday evening (20:45 CET). Antoine Griezmann is a sure-fire starter in the rojiblanco line-up and had previoulsy been partnered by fellow Frenchman Kévin Gameiro. However, in recent matches Torres has impressed Simeone and is likely to get the nod against the Galician side.
Numbers
Gameiro has played 32 games (a total of 1,680 minutes) and scored on nine occasions - six in LaLiga, two in the Copa del Rey and one in the Champions League - as well as providing five assists. El Niño, however, is hot on his heels, playing in 25 matches over 1,237 minutes - 16 in LaLiga, five in the Copa del Rey and four in the Champions League - netting five and providing three assists.
Past trends
The likes of Jackson, Vietto and Mandzukic also all started ahead of Torres and all fell away, with the former Liverpool and Chelsea player normally growing as the season wears on, a common trait among thirty-something players rested or starting from the bencg. Moreover, Torres's contract renewal is currently an underlying issue, with many seeing this as the last season at his boyhood club.
