Diego Costa is back to Atletico Madrid after recovering from a foot injury, leading the team to the match against Barcelona on Sunday in the 13th round of the Spanish league. Atletico hope Costa will regain its normal form after falling this season.
Costa have played 18 matches in the Spanish league without scoring a goal, with their last goal in February against Sevilla. But Costa have managed to score in the Champions League, and the international striker is looking to see the net again when he meet third-placed Atletico and leaders Barcelona.
Costa failed to beat Barcelona in 12 encounters against the Catalans, including Atletico, Rayo Viacano and Valladolid. "It gives us physical and mental strength," said Atletico coach Diego Simonei. "He is an important figure and his enthusiasm moves to the masses, to his colleagues and to the technical staff."
But Costa are in desperate need to regain a sense of scoring, especially as Atletico have a real goal-scoring streak, scoring 16 goals this season against Barcelona, who scored 34 goals. Barcelona top the Spanish league table by one point from Atletico.
Alongside Costa, Simeone will also be happy to get Stephan Savic and Lucas Hernandez back from injury. But Uruguay defender Uruguayan defender Jose Maria Jiménez is doubtful, while confirming the absence of his compatriot Diego Godin.
Brazilian Felipe Coutinho has recovered from the injury, but Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has not yet decided whether to leave the player from the start or push him off the bench.
Ivan Rakitic is suspended after being sent out to Real Betis and Arturo Vidal is expected to take part. Frenchman Osman Dembli is competing with Brazilian Malcolm to play against Atletico. Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari is looking forward to his fourth consecutive win when he is a guest of Ibar tomorrow. The Real are in sixth place, but the team has a double amount of confidence, which is a chance to win again at Ibar. Real are missing Casimero and Nacio Fernandez's injury to Ibar. But captain Sergio Ramos took part in the exercise yesterday and is ready to join the club. The 13th stage of the Spanish league starts today with the game of Leganis with Deportivo Alves. Valencia tomorrow will meet Reyo Viacano and Huesca with Levante, and on Sunday Athletic Bilbao with Getafe and Espanyol with Girona and Villarreal with Real Betis. It will end on Monday with Real Sociedad with Celta Vigo.
- Diego Costa faces Barcelona in 12 games
Without scoring, Atletico hopes to be a match
Tomorrow is its new start.