Fernando Torres reveals his derby mindset and explains Jose Mourinho’s lasting influence

Fernando Torres will watch Sunday’s Madrid derby from the stands at Atletico de Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium, but the former Spain and Atletico striker says he will try to experience the match as a supporter rather than a coach.

Torres, now developing his coaching career at Atletico, is attempting to build a style of his own while drawing on the many managers who influenced him as a player. He said the key to achieving his new ambitions was the same principle that guided him on the pitch: committing fully to what he wants and pursuing it with determination and passion.

“When I go to the Metropolitano, I try to wear an Atletico de Madrid scarf and enjoy watching the team,” Torres said. “I try not to analyse things too much. I go to watch my team, support them, be with my people and feel the excitement. I try to forget I am a coach for a while. It is not easy, but I try.”

The task is difficult for someone who has spent his life studying football, but Torres hopes to leave his coaching instincts aside during the derby.

The World Cup winner began his playing journey in Atletico’s corridors and is now taking a different route at the same club. He still keeps the shin pad he wore during his first Atletico appearance against Leganes at the Vicente Calderon, carrying it as a link between his childhood ambition and his coaching future.

Torres wants his teams to reflect the football he enjoys watching: brave, dynamic, direct and capable of attacking from one end of the pitch to the other while defending with equal commitment.

“I want my teams to look like what I enjoy watching on television,” he said. “I like brave, dynamic and direct teams that play modern, changing football and provide constant action throughout the match.”

He told Spanish newspaper Marca that this approach could strengthen the connection with supporters, particularly at Atletico. “When fans watch a game and repeatedly get out of their seats because the action keeps accelerating, they become strongly attracted to it,” he said.

Lessons from Mourinho, Simeone and Klopp

Torres said he had learned something from every manager he worked with, including Luis, Vicente with Spain, and his Atletico coaches. In England, he played under Rafa Benitez, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho, while Diego Simeone also left an impression.

“I was lucky to work with some great coaches,” Torres said. “I gained a little from each of them, but when I focused on becoming a coach, I felt that Jurgen Klopp had made the clearest mark on me.”

Asked whether Atletico should be considered favourites for the derby, Torres refused to make predictions. He said the club now had greater enthusiasm and belief than in the past, despite a major squad rebuild involving several signings and important departures.

“They are still growing, but they have high morale and a great team,” he said.

Torres described Mourinho’s main strength as his leadership in the dressing room. “I knew Mourinho as an outstanding leader,” he said. “Now I see a more mature manager who is very good at managing groups.”

He added that Real Madrid had outstanding players and often won matches that appeared to be slipping away. Torres has not watched many games this season, although he has followed Atletico closely and seen Barcelona because their matches are excellent.

He believes Barcelona are among Europe’s best-performing teams, but warned that the season is still at an early stage, with injuries and many possible changes ahead.

The Champions League final will be held at the Metropolitano. Torres said Atletico should be more open about discussing its ambitions, while remaining focused on the present.

“We will not think about something happening in May because the journey is still long,” he said. “When the next Champions League match arrives, we will face it, just as we will face Sunday’s match.”