Diego Costa: How long before goals stop justifying “madness”?

If it’s a pronounced villain that makes every good story a great one, football should be happy to have Diego Costa as its main entertainer, shouldn’t it?
With his teeth out and eyes bulging at rivalling players, Diego Costa is one of those players who feed on the pressure, and who uses his temper to add an edge to his game. This edge often proves to be a big difference on the pitch, but Diego Costa frequently oversteps the mark thus becoming a huge liability for his squad, both at club and country.
Such was the case in his last game for Spain in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Italy, which was just another demonstration of Diego Costa’s untamed nature.

Madness Undermining Talent

We have seen it countless times before, Diego Costa’s characters collide once he steps on the football pitch, when his usually smiling face is replaced by fuming expressions and fingers pointing at everyone who stands in his way.
Italy defender and potential future teammate of Diego Costa’s, Leonardo Bonucci, was given a taste of Spaniard’s dirty side on more than one occasion in Turin on Thursday.
Diego Costa hit the defender in the face, slapping him earlier in the game as he tried to tussle his way to Buffon’s goal. Frustrated over lack of goal scoring opportunities, the 28-year-old striker turned to his old tricks, which should have ultimately earned him a red card.
Booked for a challenge on Italy defender, Diego Costa came close to receiving the second yellow after kicking a ball after the referee’s whistle. Spain forward was ruled offside in a counterattack towards Buffon’s goal and could not hide his anger towards such a decision that he fired the ball high in the stands.
Felix Brych decided to forgive him, but Julen Lopetegui was quick to sub his player in order to prevent him from being dismissed later on, ultimately saving his striker from committing a possible suicide, sort of speaking.

Villain Everyone Loves to Hate

Diego Costa is your favourite villain, the one you love to hate so much, unless you are a Chelsea fan. Despite the hate and bitterness you might feel towards him, there are few clubs that wouldn’t jump on the chance to add him to their own squad, despite the obvious problems.
His transgressions date all the way back to his early beginnings in Sao Paulo, with aggression on show straight from his youth matches. Teeth out was his way to cope with pressure and problems he had plenty in his private and professional life, perhaps playing a huge part in making him a player he is today.
His physical deficiencies and the fact he gained weight more easily than what he would have liked it to almost ruined his career as an 18-year-old, hence the anger and utter “madness” could be attributed to his way of dealing with problems.
Atletico Madrid bought him at the aforementioned tender age and were happy to send him on loans before he was able to slot in the senior team.
Goals and red cards came with similar frequency as Diego Costa went from Celta Vigo and Albacete loans to being sold to Real Valladolid, with a buy-back clause which allowed Atletico to grab their man back in 2010.
Haters followed wherever he may went, but Diego Costa never changed his style much to the detriment it may have had on his career.

Are goals enough to erase all the antics?

The current season was supposed to be crucial for Diego Simeone. His die-hard temper encountered a similarly hot-headed persona at the bench this summer with Antonio Conte arriving at the helm with strong belief that Diego Costa would be the first player to be shown the exit door.
As temperamental as he himself may be, Antonio Conte is a renowned disciplinarian and Costa’s frolics – everyone believed – would sign a death sentence for the Spaniard.
Costa refused to change, he just couldn’t. In the Blues’ season-opener against West Ham the Spanish striker wasted little time in getting booked for the first time of the season after confronting the referee less than 20 minutes in.
Seven games later, the 28-year-old striker has 6 goals to his name and 4 yellow cards.
Not a single dismissal so far, but plenty of heat and anger in his play. He is sure to add more, as soon as at the forthcoming duel against Premier League champions Leicester City Chelsea stand at 4/7 betting odds to win.
Should you wish to get prepared to the game the right way, be sure to check out some key statistical details ahead of the high-profile match at the Stamford Bridge: