During his time at Manchester City, the Valencian attacker visited the ‘theater of dreams’ on one occasion
The FC Barcelona footballer was able to verify that, to win at United’s stadium, you have to “run like there’s no tomorrow”
ferran torres presented his candidacy, with an exhibition against Cádiz, to the starting eleven of FC Barcelona in Old Trafford. The absences of Pedri due to injury and Gavi due to suspension will force Xavi Hernandez to look for alternatives in the squad and the Valencian attacker showed, with the performance that confirmed his ‘resurrection’, that he will live up to expectations if he has the opportunity to be part of the game. Whether it starts or not, the visit to Manchester United will be very special for the footballer from Foios, who before arriving at the Spotify Camp Nou He wore the City elastic for a year and a half.
During that stage, Ferran only played one of the four games that Pep Guardiola’s pupils played against the ‘red devils’. He had minutes in one commitment despite not starting, he did not move from the bench in another due to a technical decision and he lost the last two due to a viral illness and a metatarsal fracture in his right foot, respectively. His role in the Manchester derbies, then, was very small: he was barely on the pitch for 24 minutesall of them in the ‘citizen’ visit to Old Trafford corresponding to matchday 12 of the 2020/21 Premier League.
Despite this, the Barça player could not meet the ‘theater of dreams’ in its fullness. And it is that this meeting – which ended with a tie at nothing (0-0) – took place in December 2020, less than a year after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and it was held without the presence of United fans in the stands. The atmosphere of the derby was very watered down compared to the one that will surround, this Thursday, the second leg of the Europa League tie. Xavi’s men will not only have to face Erik ten Hag’s team, one of the best on the continent, but they will also have to overcome more than 70,000 throats cheering on their own with fervor and enthusiasm.
In less than half an hour –with a record of 16 interventions, no errors in the 11 steps he made, a successful dribble and a duel won– Ferran was able to verify that, to win at Old Trafford, you have to “run like there is no tomorrow & rdquor;. “We will have to try to have the ball and, above all, know how to suffer. United fans are pressing a lot, it will be a game to have patience and calm. They are in great form, especially Rashford, but so are we. We are Barça and we are looking forward to it & rdquor ;, reflected the winger in the informal chat he had with the press this Tuesday.