It was always a risk from Simeone to start Diego Costa from the opening whistle. The striker was never fully fit but the prize was so tempting that Atletico decided to name him in the starting eleve for the game against Barcelona at the Nou Camp, with the La Liga on the line. But just a week later is the Champions League final, and a World Cup to think of beyond that.
Just 15 minutes into the game, Diego Costa collapsed with his injury troubles catching up with him. He went off, and was replaced by Adrian. The gravity of the situation set in quickly, not only among the supporters, but Diego Costa himself. The Spanish-Brazilian striker wasn’t able to hold back the tears as the possibility of missing two of the biggest competitions in the prime of his career seemed to take over him.
Minutes later, Atletico’s hopes came crumbling down. Another vital cog in the attacking wheel at Atletico, Arda Turan, was forced to come off as he too might be missing the date with Real Madrid in Lisbon. The worst possible events in a professional footballers career, missing the Champions League final (and World Cup) to injury. Neither Turan nor Costa were able to control their emotions, and one can only feel for the duo.
Click images for larger view.
- Suarez, Bale, Benzema & James in Adidas’ strangely likeable #ThereWillBeHaters ad - January 19, 2015
- Di Maria, Rooney & Van Persie transformed into anime style for official Man United campaign - November 13, 2014
- How would Ronaldo, Gerrard, Ibrahimovic and others look in the 70s? - November 8, 2014
