Atletico played that way because his movement meant he could run on to forward passes.
Only three weeks ago, he lambasted Atletico players after they lost a third straight match.
BBC: SPORT | Football | Other European | Atletico owner Gil dies
And Atletico responded with some crude challenges which saw Valera get a late yellow card.
Atletico initially seemed to suffer the least from the absence of one of their key players.
Uruguay international Diego Forlan and Argentina star Sergio Aguero are likely to spearhead Atletico's attacking threat.
In Spain, Atletico Madrid strengthened their defence with the capture of Domingo Cisma from Racing Santander.
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Atletico Madrid will move into second ahead of Real if they beat Valencia on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven, a club Gerets has also coached, complete Group D.
Fighting broke out outside Atletico's Vicente Calderon stadium after Bolton's 1-0 aggregate win over the Spaniards.
It also co-incided with Atletico's best spell following the half-time introduction of the exciting Sergio Aguero.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid and Espanyol kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Adrian and Koke grabbed the goals for Atletico, who remain eight points behind Barcelona.
Fulham will play Atletico Madrid in the club's first European final on 12 May.
Midfielder Tiago opened the scoring as Atletico made it 10 wins from 10 home games.
The following week Betis beats Real Madrid 1-0 and Sevilla loses 4-0 to Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool face Lyon, Fiorentina and Debrecen while Chelsea play Porto, Atletico Madrid and APOEL Nicosia.
But four years after Atletico's proudest moment they were relegated for the first time in 66 years.
BBC: SPORT | Football | Other European | Atletico owner Gil dies
Deep into injury time, Mariano Pernia was judged to have fouled Steven Gerrard, which left Atletico fuming.
Meanwhile, Real stayed second in La Liga after city rival Atletico drew 1-1 with Valencia on Sunday.
Match-winner Torres, who had never won a trophy with Atletico Madrid, Liverpool or Spain before Sunday, said.
Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero equalized in the final minute of the first half with a powerful shot.
But just as it looked like they had weathered the storm, Atletico drew level with seven minutes left.
Xabi Prieto scored the only goal of the game as Atletico sank to third, one point behind Real.
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Second-placed Atletico Madrid can close the gap on Barcelona to eight points if they beat Levante on Sunday.
Atletico, which took a 3-0 lead to Getafe for the second leg, claimed a goalless draw to progress.
The former Atletico coach is not the only one to sing Torres' praises.
Despite Gil's interference, Atletico won the Spanish league and Cup double in 1996.
BBC: SPORT | Football | Other European | Atletico owner Gil dies
Atletico Madrid withstood late pressure as a 0-0 draw with Valencia sealed their progress on the away goals rule.
Atletico were scenting victory, and Reina had to be alert to turn a drive from Miguel over the top.
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo had earlier confirmed his club's firm interest in Reyes.
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