Torres, the favourite of Japanese fans

Resounding applause and a demanding training session closed Club Atletico de Madrid’s second day in Saga. Many fans enjoyed the open preparatory session of the red and white team in the Japanese town. Under Diego Simeone, the Spanish squad made every effort to prepare their first LaLiga World match in Japan.

The reward for this effort was the huge applause by more than a thousand Japanese fans who packed the stands of Saga Athletic Field to see their idols up close. Saves and shots made by the players of LaLiga’s team were cheered on with admiration, but the main applause was for Fernando Torres. Once again, the Madrid player was the centre of the Japanese fans’ attention, who worship him as an icon of Spanish football.

Atletico’s striker signed autographs tirelessly and shared farewells and thankful gestures with the devoted fans. This has become very usual since the first stop of the red-and-whites in the LFP World Challenge Tour. From the moment the club landed in Saga, the player from Fuenlabrada has been the most wanted and cheered on person in every training session, act or event. This leading figure is an attraction even for tomorrow’s match against Sagan Tosu. Again as the protagonist at the press conference Torres affirmed “This team has a dangerous attacking.” “They will be very demanding. It’s another step in the preparation for the season. Winning is our aim”, he concluded.

Atletico de Madrid rest in the hotel and will do so during the morning session preparing themselves to face Saturday afternoon’s journey to the Best Amenity Stadium in Tosu, where they will go head to head with Saga Tosu (12.00 pm Spanish time) in the first match for the red-and-white side in the LFP World Challenge Tour. On Sunday they will travel to Shanghai, leaving Japan behind, a country devoted to LaLiga, to Atletico de Madrid and undoubtedly, to Fernando Torres.