Happy to See Atletico Beat Madrid – Costa

Atletico Madrid double goalscorer Diego Costa said his team had been hungry for revenge, speaking after Wednesday’s 4-2 UEFA Super Cup win over neighbours Real Madrid in Tallinn, Estonia.

A thriller at Lillekulla Stadium swung back and forth, with Costa scoring twice and Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos netting for Madrid for a 2-2 score on 90 minutes, before Rojiblanco midfielders Saul Niguez and Koke sealed the victory in the first half of extra time.

Atletico had lost the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals to their richer neighbours in the Spanish capital. And speaking on BeIN Sports after the final whistle, the Brazil-born Spain international said there had been a lot of motivation in the Colchonero camp to come out on top this time.

“They had beaten us in two finals, and we wanted to win a European final against them,” Costa said. “It was very important to get confidence for the season. So I am very happy. This shows the motivation … we have, we will keep battling for everything.”

Three of Atletico’s goals were set up by substitutes, showing how Diego Simeone’s squad have more strength and depth than ever this year, after spending more than €120 million on new players.

Costa himself returned to the club last summer, after three years at Chelsea, and said that Simeone’s team were now capable of competing on all fronts this season.

“It has always been an ambitious project here,” he said. “We know that with hard work and humility we can go anywhere. The project has been growing for a while now, the new stadium, big players, hopefully it keeps going.”