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The emergency forward became the youngest Spaniard to score in three consecutive Champions League games after scoring in a 3-0 victory in Marseille.
Ferran Torres is off to an impressive start to his career at Manchester City.
The Spanish international has had to wait patiently for his opportunities since arriving from Valencia over the summer for a bargain of £ 21 million ($ 27 million), but he has been making the most of them when they have appeared.
Torres’ first goal in a 3-0 Champions League win over Marseille on Tuesday night means only Raheem Sterling has been involved in more goals for City this season.
In addition to scoring three times for his new club, the winger has also racked up two assists, not bad for a player who has started just four of City’s first nine games and was an unused substitute in three of the others.
With injured forwards Sergio Agüero and Gabriel Jesús left behind in Manchester, Torres had the demanding role of playing as a central striker in France.
Pep Guardiola admitted that it is not an easy role, especially for a young man used to stretching opponents by playing as wide as the dimensions of the field allow.
However, Torres clearly does not lack self-confidence. Any player willing to take over the 21st jersey from club legend David Silva clearly has the courage to take on any challenge.
Torres fought valiantly all night at the Stade Velodrome, even though chances were few and far between against an unadventurous side from Marseille who played with five on defense and rarely managed to get out of their own half.
He earned his goal and the praise of his coach.
Ferran has settled [in Manchester] very good, ”Guardiola said later. “He’s not a forward, so I’d congratulate him and say, ‘Thank you for making the effort to play in this position.’
“It is not easy as a forward playing 4-5-1 because there are many players there and there is no space around him but he scored a goal.
“Until Gabriel and Sergio come back, we don’t have many forwards, so now we have the option to play with Ferran in this position.”
Aguero could face another month off after sustaining a hamstring injury, but Jesús is expected to be able to return within the next 10 days.
Torres, at least, has shown that he can be a viable alternative to Sterling, who has generally assumed the role of emergency forward.
The 20-year-old has already scored in his last three Champions League appearances, becoming the youngest Spanish player to accomplish the feat.
He is also the second City player, after Mario Balotelli in 2011, to score in his first two Champions League appearances with the club.
His first came in last Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Porto when he came on as a substitute in the second half, alongside Phil Foden.
They combined brilliantly to open up a stubborn defense for the game-ending third goal, with Torres breaking a fierce punch in the top corner.
The pair have already established a lively partnership, with their 20-year-old partner adding energy and initiative to a weary side who is struggling to find his groove after a test start to the campaign.
They got on well again at the Velodrome, with Guardiola refreshing his side giving a youthful look to his front row.
Foden played down the left, after earning the recall by converting the game against West Ham at the weekend, and was again City’s most spirited player, having a hand in City’s second goal that was finished off by Ilkay Gundogan earlier of Sterling achieving a comfortable victory.
With two wins out of two, City have taken strong control of group C.
A hectic schedule means Guardiola would love to qualify for the knockout stage as quickly as possible and four points from the next two games against Olympiakos from outside the group would surely achieve that goal.
“It is important to start the Champions League with two victories because it helps us. We are so close now to being in the round of 16, ”added the City chief.
Torres’ goals in the Champions League may have come very early in the season, but they could prove to be very important for City’s results. Like its vitality and versatility.
The cheap purchase of Man City could provide Guardiola with an invaluable alternative in attack.
