• Serie A

Torres 'more useful' than Balotelli

AC Milan are better off with Fernando Torres up front than they were when they had to rely on Mario Balotelli, claims the Italian club's new goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

Former Milan forward Balotelli was sold to Liverpool for £16 million last month, with Torres recruited in his place on a two-year loan from Chelsea.

Not only was the move a financial success for Milan but - according to the Spanish goalkeeper - it will also help them deliver better results on the field.

"We want to get Milan back to where they belong and for this Torres is going to be more useful than Balotelli," Lopez said. "He's a big signing for Milan and he's done great things in his career.

"His job is to score goals. He's a big player - already tried and tested, renowned, quick and strong."

Torres joined Liverpool in 2007 with a reputation as a goalscorer and produced an impressive 65 goals in 102 Premier League appearances during his time at Anfield. But his January 2011 move to Chelsea for a then British-record £50m was less productive as he scored just 20 times in 110 league appearances for the West London club.

But with goals from Torres and saves from Lopez, Milan are bidding to put behind them the disappointment of last season, when they did not even manage to qualify for the Europa League.

Lopez arrived from the Champions League winners Real Madrid this summer and says he does not regret the move for a minute.

"Both are huge clubs, two of the most important in the world," he said. "As soon as there was the possibility of coming to Milan, I took my decision with the utmost conviction. Milan have a great history, regardless of what has happened in recent years. I'm going to give it all I can to get Milan back where they belong."

With Filippo Inzaghi at the helm, Lopez also feels they have the right, charismatic man to guide the club back into the top three.

"He's a great leader and he's going to become a great coach," Lopez said. "The people here are right behind him, both professionally and personally, and he is a serene coach who gives us faith."

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