At a glance
- Ferran Torres scored a 25 minute brace against Espanyol on Saturday.
- The goals put FC Barcelona nine points clear at the top of La Liga.
- With them, the ‘Shark’ shut up critics that criticised his recent form.
FC Barcelona striker Ferran Torres shut up his doubters with a fantastic 25-minute brace against Espanyol on Saturday.
The ‘Shark’ got the nod from Hansi Flick over Robert Lewandowski and, to an extent, Marcus Rashford.
Possibly auditioning for the nod at the Metropolitano on Tuesday, the 26-year-old needed just nine minutes to make an impact.
Rising at the back post, he headed home a corner fired in by Lamine Yamal. Making “gossip” gestures with his hands, it was a confidence booster for the Valencian.
Ferran had more for Barcelona
With that his first strike since January 31, Ferran wasn’t happy with just one appearance on the scoresheet.
Just 16 minutes later, he made a clever run to get himself into space for Lamine, and knocked a one-time finish past Marko Dmitrovic to make it 2-0.
Grateful to his double assist provider, Ferran embraced Lamine and, barring a major comeback from the Pericos, went a long way to putting the points in the bag for Barca.
Has Ferran done enough to play for Barcelona Vs. Atletico Madrid
Ferran certainly hasn’t harmed his chances. Remember, however, that he’s been chosen against Espanyol as part of several rotations.
In midfield, Gavi plays in a double pivot with Pedri. But he still isn’t deemed fit enough to start such a high octane clash as the Champions League quarterfinal second leg.
Frenkie de Jong is expected to partner Pedri, and a benched Rashford will occupy the left channel once more.
Getting to the point, it should still be Lewandowski who lines up at the Metropolitano. Yet this is a confidence game, and Ferran still has training days before the trip to the Spanish capital to impress Hansi Flick amid a major morale booster.
Ferran’s goals were his 13th and 14th in the league, which are two more than a Lewandowski on his own mission to break an all-time oldest marksman tally.
