Simeone Claims Spain Didn’t Understand Costa

Primera Liga

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has claimed that Spain did not know how to use striker Diego Costa and get the best out of him. The Brazil born striker was persuaded to join the Spanish national team in order to help them cope with the lack of form of strikers like Fernando Torres. Despite being blessed with a lot of quality midfielders, Spain manager Vicente del Bosque does not have a lot of options up front. David Villa took part in his final international tournament after announcing his retirement at the end of the World Cup.

Hence, Costa was taken with the national team in order to defend their World Cup title that we won in South Africa. The defence, though, ended in a spectacular failure after they were knocked out at the group stages with many pointing their fingers at Costa. The 25-year-old started both matches against Netherlands and Chile, but he made little impact. His only contribution at the World Cup after having played more than 120 minutes of football was winning a penalty against Netherlands in the first match.

Diego Simeone, though, has come to the defence of his striker by saying that Spain did not utilise the 25-year-old properly because they did not play to his strengths. Costa scored more than 35 goals for Madrid last season.

“With the result as it is, it would also be very easy to say that Diego Costa didn’t work out. Spain were used to playing at one rhythm and one pace, while Costa offers other characteristics. If you don’t take advantage of Costa’s runs, you isolate him. He likes to exploit the spaces, to attack from deep positions and to get on the end of final passes, but Spain’s football focuses more on the collective. Playing that collective game, they were not able to take advantage of Costa,” said Simeone.