MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 15:10:53| >> :600:109795:109795:

Diego Simeone responds to Diego Costa criticism

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone denies suggestions that Diego Costa is not a team player.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has played down criticism of leading scorer Diego Costa.

Despite scoring 19 goals in La Liga this season and 23 times in all competitions, Costa has drawn criticism in recent weeks for a perceived selfishness in the final third.

"I don't think it's a question of Diego Costa. He has his playing characteristics and he involves a lot of people," he told reporters at a press conference.

"In the game against Málaga, he drew three of their players away with him, so that [David] Villa and Koke could make their moves. Diego Costa is a very scary player for opponents."

Costa has already netted three more goals than he managed in the entirety of last season.

ID:130187: cacheID:130187:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1170:
Written by
Matt Law
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Atletico boss Diego Simeone on the touchline against Rayo on August 25, 2013
Read Next:
Simeone: 'We can cope with schedule'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico19135134122244
2Real Madrid19134243192443
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal198653431330
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad198471713428
8GironaGirona198472725228
9Rayo Vallecano196762222025
10Real BetisBetis196762123-225
11Osasuna196762328-525
12Celta Vigo197392830-224
13Sevilla196582128-723
14Las PalmasLas Palmas196492429-522
15Getafe194781316-319
16Leganes194781829-1119
17AlavesAlaves1945102131-1017
18Espanyol1944111731-1416
19Real ValladolidValladolid1943121337-2415
20Valencia1927101829-1113


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!