Pau Torres will hardly forget the summer of 2021. A summer that kicked off with a historic Europa League final against Manchester United that allowed him, among other things, to be in Belfast today to fight for a new European title. After managing to lift the first trophy in Europe after a highly disputed match against the ‘Red Devils’, resolved after 22 penalties and an extension after the 1-1 that left regulation time, this Wednesday the match against Chelsea was no less. After another 120 minutes on his legs, the maximum penalties yesterday took Villarreal and the center-back down a different path. The glory went to the ‘blues’, but nothing to blame for the effort and dedication of Unai Emery.
What is special about Pau is that with that first overtime against United, he began a series of summer overtime. It has been eight since that May 26. Fortunately for him now comes the league, where he knows that everything ends in 90 minutes. Also in the group stage of the Champions League. From the middle of the season another rooster can crow.
Especially important has been Pau’s effort in recent days. On July 31, in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games against Ivory Coast, he played the 120 minutes. After 2-2 in regulation time, Spain won 5-2. The same luck ran the combined Luis de La Fuente in the semifinals against Japan, again with Pau holder and adding another 120 ‘in the legs. Asensio at the last moment sent the ‘Rojita’ to the final, where they succumbed to Brazil in another marathon match for the central Castellón.
Torres had every right in the world to rest, but he didn’t even think about it when he had the opportunity to help his team. With practically no time to prepare for the final of the European Super Cup, the defender took the elastic ‘grogueta’ and added another 120 ‘today. In total, 480 minutes in 12 days. Crazy.
The other three extensions of Pau came in the Eurocup with the ‘majors’ of the Red. He started in 71 ‘against Croatia and added 50 minutes in the second round, start against Italy in the quarterfinals to sign up another 112 ‘ and he was one of those chosen for refreshment to play 12 more minutes in the semifinals against Italy, where the Spanish dream ended. A more than intense summer for Pau, who is crying out for a break after one of his best years as a professional in his still incipient career.