Fernando Llorente has praised compatriot Alvaro Morata’s start to life in Turin, as he reflects on his own absence from the Spain squad.
Fernando Llorente has praised compatriot Alvaro Morata’s start to life in Turin, as he reflects on his own absence from the Spain squad.
Morata and Llorente bagged two goals each during the Bianconeri’s 7-0 crushing of Parma on Sunday, and the former Athletic Bilbao striker has praised his young teammate’s early start to life in Italy.
“I see him doing very well, adapting quickly to Serie A, which isn’t easy,” Marca reports Llorente as telling Al Primer Toque.
“I think there is a lot of worth in what he is doing. He is a great player and is working hard.
“Juventus are a big club and there has to be competition. There are a lot of games and he can help.”
Morata could make his debut for Spain after being called up to Vicente del Bosque’s latest squad. Llorente however was not included, but the 29-year-old insists he has no problems with Del Bosque.
“I would love to be with the national team but ultimately it’s the Coach that makes the decisions.
“It’s a matter of choice and he chooses other players. My relationship with Del Bosque and the entire national team has always been exceptional.
“Nothing has ever happened and I’m sure it’s a matter of choice. They know me and have preferred to call others.”
Llorente scored 18 goals for Juventus across all competitions last season, but had initially struggled to find the back of the net this term.
However, the brace against Parma and involvement in forcing Roberto Jimenez’s own goal against Olympiacos in the Champions League, the big striker feels the club can now kick on in Europe.
“I’m very happy to score two goals [against Parma], we scored quickly and that set up the game and that’s why we scored so many goals,” Llorente reflected.
“The goal I scored against Olympiacos was important because it was a game of life or death. We couldn’t fail.
“The game was complicated and at 1-2 thinks looked very black but the team was able to turn the game around.
“It was quite similar to Spain against Portugal [in World Cup 2010]. I was fortunate to be able to help and very happy.
“The fans are eager we do something important in Europe because we have won the League for three years, so they’re asking for more from Europe.
“We had the bad luck to start the group wrong and we have to beat Malmo, and then Atletico Madrid come to Turin in a tough match.”