Costa is latest injury doubt for Atletico’s big clash with Barcelona
Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has been sidelined with a foot injury that could leave him in a race for full fitness ahead of a crucial league clash with Barcelona.
Costa hobbled off during a 3-2 league win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, where the capital side moved to within a point of leaders Barcelona.
Atletico defender Diego Godin hit a brace in that win but has been sidelined after he also hobbled off before the end with a thigh injury that could rule him out for up to a month.
Now Costa has joined the Uruguayan on the sidelines. Costa only returned to the competitive fold earlier this month following a two-week absence due to “muscle problems” but played only the first half against Bilbao after complaining of “pains”, according to Atletico coach Diego Simeone.
Simeone is also without the injured Thomas Lemar (thigh) and defenders Lucas Hernandez, Jose Maria Gimenez and Stefan Savic.
Atletico host Barcelona on November 24 following the break for international matches, then take on Monaco four days later, looking to book their ticket for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Barcelona’s experienced defender Jordi Alba yesterday denied any fall-out between himself and Spain coach Luis Enrique after he left the fullback out of two consecutive national squads.
Alba has been called up by Enrique for the first time since he started his reign in July, for fixtures against Croatia tomorrow in the Nations League and a friendly at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina three days later.
He had been frozen out for games in September and October. “Nothing happened between Luis Enrique and I, we never argued,” the Euro 2012 winner said. “Like every coach, he makes his own decisions, we can agree or disagree with them, but I’ve never had a problem with him or his coaching staff.”
Alba, who worked with Enrique at the Camp Nou between 2014-2017, has scored two goals in an impressive start to the season to help the Catalans to the top of La Liga, despite Sunday’s 4-3 home defeat to Real Betis.