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Tag: Costa

  • Diego Costa tells Chelsea fans why he left

    Diego Costa tells Chelsea fans why he left

    Wolves striker Diego Costa took aim at Tottenham boss Antonio Conte after defeat at Chelsea.

    It marked his return to the Blues after being bombed out while Conte was in charge.

    Post-match, he opened up about his fondness still for the west Londoners four years on from his exit. Interestingly enough, a little shot was aimed in Conte’s direction to explain where it went wrong and where the relationship strained a little during the latter days.

    He said to the foreign media post-match: “I’ve never had a problem with the fans. I left in bad terms with *that* manager, I left a champion for the second time, and he didn’t count on me. That was nothing I could do. I had to leave. Today showed that I did not leave on bad terms with the fans.

    “It’s very special. It’s the feeling that in the time that you spent here, you did good work and left good memories. Chelsea fans always treated me very well. I was always surprised by the way they treated me. It’s satisfying.”

  • Finally, Conte speaks about his Chelsea bust-up with Costa

    Finally, Conte speaks about his Chelsea bust-up with Costa

    Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has finally explained his bust-up with Diego Costa during his time at Stamford Bridge.

    The striker had scored 20 goals in Chelsea’s Premier League success, but had agitated for moves to Atletico Madrid and China, before seizing on a text message in which Costa claimed Conte informed him he was no longer part of his plans.

    Inter Milan coach Conte recalled to the Telegraph: “First of all, I am a person that doesn’t want to speak badly about a situation with a player from a club that I trained.

    “It’s right always to keep good memories and I prefer to keep good memories also about Diego Costa because we won together a league title in an incredible season.

    “But, for sure, the truth, we know the truth. The player, his agent, the club and I. We know how many times he asked to go away to Atletico Madrid at the start of the season, during the season to go to China, and at the end of the season to join, again, Atletico Madrid.

    “This is the truth and, honestly, in my career I want to have players who are concentrated on my team and not to consider my team a second choice. My team must be the first choice.

    “It was an incredible season and I managed, together with the club, the Diego Costa situation in the best possible way. But, in the end, the truth was only that the player wanted to leave many times to Atletico Madrid and during the season to go to China because he wanted the best contract.”

  • Costa scores sent off after scoring on home debut for Atletico

    Costa scores sent off after scoring on home debut for Atletico

    Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa scored on his home debut in a 2-0 win over Getafe on Saturday and was immediately sent off for an over zealous celebration.

    It was a typically eventful return to La Liga for the former Chelsea striker, as he hit the second goal in the 67th minute, after Angel Correa had put Atletico ahead in the 18th minute.

    He rushed to the home fans behind the goal at the Wanda Metropolitano, creating a mini-surge as supporters ran down to embrace their returning hero.

    The Spain striker had also played for the club from 2010 to 2014.

    Leaving the pitch to celebrate with the fans automatically incurs a booking.

    As Costa had already been shown a yellow card for elbowing Djene Dakonam seven minutes earlier, referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero had no choice but to send him off.

    He had returned to Atletico from Chelsea for 57 million pounds ($77.34 million) in September but could not play until January due to a ban on the club registering new players.

    Costa will now be suspended for Atletico’s next Liga game at Eibar on Jan. 13.

    Atletico are second in the standings on 39 points, six behind leaders Barcelona who host Levante on Sunday.

    Third-placed Valencia host Girona later on Saturday before Sevilla play Real Betis in a local derby, while champions Real Madrid visit Celta Vigo on Sunday.

  • Costa scores five minutes into return for Atletico Madrid

    Costa scores five minutes into return for Atletico Madrid

    Substitute Diego Costa scored five minutes into his Atletico Madrid return in the Copa del Rey last-16 first-leg win at third-tier side Lleida Esportiu.

    Chelsea agreed to sell Costa, 29, back to Atletico in September, although he was not cleared to play until January.

    And he came off the bench for his second Atletico debut after 64 minutes, before scoring his side’s third goal.

    Diego Godin, Fernando Torres and Antonie Griezmann were also on the scoresheet for Atletico.

    “I’m really happy to feel like a footballer again and play once more with Atletico Madrid. It was very important for me,” said Costa.

    “I couldn’t have hoped for a better start to my second spell with Atletico.

    “I was given the opportunity to play again and I had the chance to score a goal, that makes me even happier.”

    Costa started the move that led to his goal, driving forward before moving the ball wide, allowing Juanfran to whip in a low cross that Costa clipped past Lleida keeper David Oliveros.

    Costa appeared to have injured himself stretching to score the goal, but was able to carry on and finish the game.

    “Costa’s return has filled us with enthusiasm,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone. “He brings speed, strength and physicality, which is what we expected of him.”

    Brazil-born Costa joined Chelsea from Atletico for a reported £32m in 2014 and he scored 58 goals in 120 appearances for the Blues, including 20 in the Premier League last season as they won the title.

    But he was told by text message he was not in Antonio Conte’s plans, did not play for Chelsea this season, and spent much of August in his native Brazil.

    And while the deal was agreed in September, he could not be registered as a player for the La Liga outfit until January, when the club’s transfer window ban came to an end.

    The second leg against third-tier Lleida Esportiu is on Tuesday, with Atletico hosting Getafe in the league on Saturday.

     

  • Costa not untouchable at Chelsea, says Conte

    Costa not untouchable at Chelsea, says Conte

    Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte, has insisted that Diego Costa is not untouchable in his squad.

    Conte has already confirmed that Costa will be in the squad, for their Sunday game against Hull City at Stamford Bridge.

    The 28-year-old was left out of the Blues’s 3-0 win at Leicester City in their last Premier League fixture, after he reportedly clashed with Conte over a back injury and an offer from China.

    He rejoined first-team training on Tuesday, after training alone on Sunday and Monday, with other squad members given two days off.

    “I must be honest, I don’t like this word, ‘untouchable,’” Conte said during his Friday media conference.

    “You prove you should play a game in training sessions, and you have to prove you should start. I don’t like this word, this adjective, ‘untouchable.’ I prefer all my players show me every single day that they deserve to play on Sunday. For me, that’s important. From my career, I learnt this.”

    The former Juventus manager, also urged Chelsea supporters not to boo the player.

    “I’m sure on Sunday that, if Diego starts the game, he’ll put all himself into it for this club, the shirt and the fans, and do everything he can to win the game,” Conte said.

    “I don’t think this situation can happen [with fans booing him]. It’s not right, it’s not right. I repeat: Last week, he had this injury, this pain in his back. Now he came back with us. I’m sure that, together, we have to win against Hull City. It’s important for me to be focused on all: on me, on the players, on the fans and on the game, because it’s a really important game for us to win.

    “Our fans are really important, always, because they are great. They push a lot when we play at home. They push a lot when we play away. And, for us, for me, they are the 12th player on the pitch. I hope to continue in this way, to push a lot our team, my players, in every moment of the game. They are a really important part for us to try and win and try and continue to fight for the title.”