Hierro, Gullit still backing goalless Torres

Former Spain skipper Fernando Hierro and ex-Netherlands' captain Ruud Gullit have tipped out-of-form striker Fernando Torres to come up with the goods for Spain sooner rather than later.

Former Spain skipper Fernando Hierro and ex-Netherlands' captain Ruud Gullit have tipped out-of-form striker Fernando Torres to come up with the goods for Spain sooner rather than later.

Spain striker Fernando Torres. pic/afp

Spain take on Germany in tonight's second semi-final but it has been striker David Villa's five goals that have helped Spain get this far while Torres has struggled to find the back of the net.

Hierro said: "Fernando is a very important player in the Spanish team. He came into the team after being out injured for five weeks. I think he is showing slowly, game after game, that he is improving.
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"There is no doubt he brings great quality to the team in attack and I hope he will improve even more."

Former Holland star Gullit said: "Torres had a bad injury during the season, therefore he now needs to get hisu00a0 rhythm.

"I know I saw Torres all year and for me he is one of the best strikers in the world. I think the World Cup may be came at the wrong moment for him.

"Still, it does not change my opinion on him. You can see he is working very hard, but just missing that little bit at the end."