Diego Lopez Praises Fernando Torres as Better Fit for AC Milan than Mario Balotelli

AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez insists Fernando Torres is already proving to be a better option for the club than Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli.

After losing Luis Suarez to Barcelona and pulling out of a deal to sign France international Loic Remy, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers turned to former Manchester City striker Balotelli to help fill a void in attack, bringing him back to the Premier League for a fee of £16m.

Following the Italian's departure, Milan struck a deal with Chelsea to sign Torres and end his Stamford Bridge nightmare, signing the striker on a two-year loan deal.

Torres is expected to make his debut for the Rossoneri on Sunday 14 September against Parma and Lopez, Milan's other high-profile arrival following his move from Real Madrid, believes Torres is a better fit for the club as they aim to revive their Serie A fortunes.

"Torres is a great signing," Lopez told Milan Channel. "We are talking about a player who has done amazing things, he has experience, speed and will be important.

"Balotelli? Torres will be more useful as he has shown the characteristics needed to win."

Following his return to Italy, Balotelli struck 26 goals in 43 league games for Milan, building on his healthy record of 20 in 54 while playing for Manchester City.

Torres is hoping to address his well-documented troubles in finding the back of the net in Milan four years on from his £50m move from Liverpool to Chelsea.

Milan manager Filippo Inzaghi has high hopes for the former Atletico Madrid captain, especially after seeing the 30-year-old break medical records before even kicking a ball for the club.

"He had his medical tests today and set a new record [for] the team," Inzaghi said of Torres following his move at the end of August.

"What are our objectives? There are perhaps three teams who have something more, but with hunger, temperament and our fans back at the San Siro, we could be a surprise."

Torres was joined in Milan by Dutch midfielder Marco van Ginkel, who left Chelsea on a one-year loan deal.