DIEGO COSTA has teased new Atletico Madrid strike partner Luis Suarez by joking: “I’ll do the fighting, he can do the biting.”
Barcelona discard Suarez netted twice on his Atletico debut after coming on for ex-Chelsea bad-boy Costa in Sunday’s 6-1 LaLiga win over Granada.
Luis Suarez replaced fellow veteran striker Diego Costa for his two-goal Atletico Madrid introductionCredit: EPA
Diego Costa saw red after clashing heads with Everton star Gareth Barry for Chelsea in March 2016Credit: PA:Press Association
Then-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was banned for ten games for this bite on Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, his third similar offenceCredit: Pixel8000
And having been banned three times for biting, the Uruguay legend is one of the few superstar with a record as controversial, combative and confrontational as Costa’s.
But Spain hardman Costa, 31, is amazed Barca let the 33-year-old go.
Incoming Nou Camp boss Ronaldo Koeman made it clear Suarez was no longer wanted when he took over following the 8-2 Champions League humiliation against Bayern Munich last month.
CHEWY SUAREZ: HIS 3 BITE BANS
Here’s how strike legend Luis Suarez brought shame upon himself THREE times.
NOVEMBER 2010: AJAX 0 PSV EINDHOVEN 0
Ajax skipper Suarez was suspended for seven games after his bite on PSV midfielder Otman Bakkal.
APRIL 2013: L’POOL 2 CHELSEA 2
Most famously, Suarez took a sneaky comp on the arm of Branislav Ivanovic in the box, sparking shock as much as outrage from the Chelsea defender during the Premier League draw.
He escaped punishment on the field for the off-the-ball incident and even bagged Liverpool’s late point-saver.
But the FA later banned him for ten matches for violent conduct
JUNE 2014: ITALY 0 URUGUAY 1
Suarez was suspended from football for four months after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay’s 1-0 win at the 2014 World Cup.
The-then Liverpool attacker was also banned for the first nine matches of the following Premier League season and fined 100,000 Swiss francs (around £65,680).
Costa said: “We are very lucky to have Luis, I don’t understand how Barca could have let him leave.
“He is very good, one of us can do the fighting and the other can do the biting.
DIE OF SHAME: COSTA CONTROVERSIES
The burly attacker has been beset with dubious exchanges – here’s just a few from his three-year stint at Stamford Bridge.
JANUARY 2015: STAMP ON CAN
The new Chelsea frontman was banned for three matches after appearing to bite Liverpool midfielder Emre Can.
SEPTEMBER 2015: ARSENAL FLARE-UP
Gunners’ boss Arene Wenger Costa blasted Costa’s “disgusting” behaviour as he seemed to slap and jostle with Gunners’ defender Laurent Koscielny. Arsenal’s Gabriel was sent off amid ‘kicking’ claims as he too clashed with the Spaniard.
OCTOBER 2015: ‘KICK ON SKRTEL’
Costa appeared to catch Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel with a kick in the midriff.
“He’s going to help us with lots of goals as well as his warrior spirit and his hunger to win trophies.”
Costa netted against Granada before Suarez replaced him on 70 minutes to score twice and add an assist.
But while Atleti hope Suarez can fire them to their first title since 2014, Costa’s future in his third spell at the club is under threat following patchy form.
Atletico debutant Luis Suarez celebrates rounding off a 6-1 romp against Granada with his second goal as a substituteCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Luis Suarez and partner Sofia take to the pitch one last time to say goodbye to Barcelona
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
