Returning hero: Can Fernando Torres save his legacy at Atleti?

Fernando Torres could not have hoped for a better reception when he returned to boyhood club Atletico Madrid, 20/1 with Coral to retain La Liga title, after an eight-and-a-half season absence.

After enjoying a rapturous hero’s welcome, Torres put in a terrific performance against fierce cross-town competitors Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, to help send Atleti through to a tantalising quarter-final clash with Barcelona.

Two fantastically-timed goals, in the first minute of both halves, announced that ‘El Nino’ is finally back where he belongs. Can the Vicente Calderon family revive the former Chelsea and Liverpool frontman’s career?

Currently owned by Serie A giants AC Milan, it appears Torres will have to prove his worth to Diego Simeone if the switch is to be permanent.

A brilliant brace to down Los Blancos was certainly a good place to start. The out-of-favour Spain striker pounced within the opening minute, showcasing the poacher’s instinct that once saw him regarded as one of Europe’s most feared forwards.

An instinctive and somewhat vicious strike to beat Keylor Navas was followed by an opportunistic effort after the break, as Torres beat Pepe to slot in his second.

Now 30, it looked as if the Atletico academy product was to be another sad case of wasted potential.

That may seem a strange thing to say about a player who can count World Cup, Champions League and European Championship medals amongst his silverware collection, but Torres’ individual stock has been on the wane for some time.

A spate of unfortunate injuries and the decision to swap Liverpool for Chelsea resulted in a significant loss of form, with few teams seemingly willing to take a punt on the once sought-after sharpshooter, who even became a figure of fun for opposition fans.