Football: Torres has got back his confidence back says Villas-Boas

Chelsea manager delighted with striker’s brace in Champions League.

LONDON: Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas believes Fernando Torres has rediscovered his confidence after the striker scored twice in a 5-0 demolition of Genk in the Champions League.

Torres had gone 875 minutes without scoring in the Champions League, a run that dated back to 2009.

“It’s important for players to feel confident, and he’s feeling confident in his abilities,” said Villas-Boas. “It was never a question of him not being at his best form. He was always in form.”

Chelsea’s victory also featured goals from Raul Meireles, Branislav Ivanovic and Salomon Kalou.

Wenger thrilled by Ramsey

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger lauded substitute Aaron Ramsey’s effort after he gave Arsenal a precious victory with an injury-time winner at Marseille.

“It was a great goal,” said Wenger. “With Ramsey you know you have a chance of scoring.”

Arsenal have now won five of their last six games but Wenger was careful not to play up the significance of the result.

Meanwhile, holders Barcelona defeated Czech minnows Viktoria Plzen 2-0. However, while goals from Andres Iniesta and David Villa maintained Barca’s unbeaten record in the group, they were surprisingly ineffective in front of goal.

In other results, Bayer Leverkusen beat Valencia 2-1, while Porto drew 1-1 with Apoel Nicosia.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2011.