Atlético de Madrid has launched a huge challenge to one of its greatest icons, Fernando Torres. The former Atlético striker, now coach of the reserve team, has a very clear objective for this season: to promote Atlético de Madrid B. This ambitious challenge, imposed by Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, the club's general manager, seeks to return the reserve team to a category that it has not played in since the 1999-2000 season.
The challenge of promotion: A strategic objective
Atlético de Madrid knows that the youth system is key to its future, and this year it has decided to concentrate its efforts on developing young talent. Instead of loaning out the most promising players to teams in the professional categories, the board has closed that door and opted to keep them in the reserve team.
Examples such as Rodrigo Riquelme, who shone on loan at Mirandés and Girona, demonstrate the success of the loan policy. However, this year, the objective is different: to bring Atlético B back to the Second Division. Gil Marín and the sporting management understand that a reserve team in the second division would be an essential boost for the development of the club's young talents.
Torres and his new challenge
Fernando Torres, one of the biggest idols of the red-and-white fans, never played for the reserve team, but now as a coach he has the responsibility of taking Atlético B to the 2nd division. This season presents itself as the perfect opportunity for "El Niño" to show his worth from the bench, with the task of leading a group of talented young players.
Among the notable names who will continue under Torres' command instead of going out on loan are Gismera, Niño, Diego Bri, Pablo Pérez, Boñar, Salim and Kostis. In addition, two experienced players on loan, such as Víctor Mollejo and Javi Serrano, have returned to the reserve team after passing through various teams to contribute to this ambitious project. The return of these players shows the club's commitment to the promotion project.
A dream that has been pending for more than 20 years
Atlético de Madrid B have not competed in the Second Division since the 1999-2000 season, when they were relegated after finishing 17th. Since then, the reserve team has had several opportunities to be promoted, but without success. In the 2003-04, 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, Atlético B played in the promotion play-offs, but on no occasion were they able to achieve their long-awaited return.
Now, with Fernando Torres at the helm, expectations are higher than ever. Gil Marín himself knows that this objective will not be easy, but he trusts that Torres, with his leadership and experience, will achieve it. Promotion would not only mean sporting success, but also an opportunity for Atlético's young talents to compete at the highest level.