Torres will accept being on Chelsea bench, says Benitez

Jan 2, 2013 10:05:00 AM

The Stamford Bridge interim boss has insisted the £50 million striker can cope with competition for a starting berth as he wants to see the west London club succeed

Chelsea interim boss Rafael Benitez has insisted Fernando Torres will understand if he is dropped to the bench for certain games if his side secure more attacking talent in January.

The Spain international has largely struggled since his £50 million move to Stamford Bridge in January 2012, but has seen his form improve with the arrival of the man who signed him for Liverpool in 2007.

As Goal.com exclusively revealed in November, the west London club are in talks to bring Atletico Madrid forward Radamel Falcao to the club, and Benitez believes such competition can only be healthy.


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"We are trying to manage the team so when I can change Fernando I will do it," Benitez told reporters.

"We will try to manage him and hopefully we can do things properly. He wants the team winning games and he understands that is the way so he will accept this."

With John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses away at the Africa Cup of Nations in January and Daniel Sturridge reportedly set to join Liverpool, Benitez spoke openly regarding the prospect of adding to his squad.

"You can always improve things, especially when you have injuries, and we lose two players to the African Nations Cup," he added.

"Obviously we need bodies but I am really pleased with the squad, they train well, the commitment is there and they are keen to learn.

"I think we will do our job and hopefully it will be a good job."

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Champions League final - LIVE!

German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.

7:40 PM BST

However, former Dortmund attacker Marcio Amoroso believes the fact that Bayern are being widely tipped to win counts for nothing tonight.

"Everyone says Bayern are the favourites, and I believe they are. But when it comes to the real thing, that doesn't exist. They'll be playing in neutral field, with split fans... When it comes to the fans, I think Borussia is much better served."

7:37 PM BST

Let's here from a couple of Brazilians with a keen interest in this game. First, former Bayern midfielder Ze Roberto, who has some interesting things to say on this all-German final.

"The German school has always been one of strength rather than technique. Today, they have found the perfect balance between the two things. That's why they've grown so much in the last few years. This final between two Germans shows the strength of the country's football.

"But the biggest difference between my Bayern and today's Bayern is that today the team is really forward-driven. It's a strong group, that plays together for a long time. They have a very experienced coach. And the players are all of international level. I see Bayern more prepared for the final.

"It will be a very good final, but I think Bayern has the advantage."

7:32 PM BST

Very worrying scenes for Bayern fans!!! Bastian Schweinsteiger is struggling. He's receiving treatment on an apparent ankle injury after being levelled by a strong challenge from Mario Mandzukic during the warm-up. Yes, you've read that right: Schweinsteiger has been injured by his team-mate!

However, the watching Christoph Metzelder is in no doubt that the Bayern midfielder will still start, telling Sky Germany: "As long as he can shoot he will play."

7:29 PM BST

Right, just to explain, we have three representatives at Wembley tonight:

- Tim Rohn, Goal Germany correspondent

- Stefan Doring, Dortmund fan

- Tobias Kind, Bayern fan

Let's check in with Tim to get a taste of the pre-game atmosphere inside the ground ...

"30 minutes to go until kick-off and the atmosphere is already amazing. Both groups of fans sing songs to rile the other ones. But everythings is peaceful. Jurgen Klopp stood some minutes alone at the kick-off-point and let all the Wembley madness have an effect on him."

7:25 PM BST

The phrase 'mixed emotions' seems made for Matthias Sammer, the legendary sweeper who inspired Dortmund to Champions League glory in 1997 but who is now employed by Bayern Munich. However, he's doing a pretty decent job of putting his old allegiances to one side ahead of tonight's final.

"It is hard to talk about feelings ahead of a match," the Bayern sporting director told Sky Sport Germany. "We want to show what made us strong all these weeks.

"We may not forget that Dortmund lost twice and drew twice in our last four matches. But they will present themselves differently tonight, that is for sure."

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