Atlético Madrid

I don't know what he was thinking. I really thought he should have gone over to Brazil. Fred and Jo are their top choices atm for the national side and neither come close to Diego Costa hot run of form. He would have cemented a starting place for himself right away and would have played in the WC. He decided to debut for Spain right around the WC considering his facing so much more competition. Llorente, Pedro and Negredo not to mention Spain that can play with MF playing up top like they did in the Euro 2012. He really should have approached it smartly.

I think he did the right thing.
It's a lost cause of non-discipline on the Brasil squad. They act like they're the 1982 squad but with only the negative stereotypes of selfishness and classlessness.

Hulk is a FAVE player of mine. Have you seen his sorry existence on the Brasil squad? Him, Fred, and Jo are constantly ignored. 1-vs-11 is a boring squad to play on.

Costa's teammates play for the Spanish squad as well (Koke, Villa, Juanfran, and Baptistao). That continuity is important.
Meanwhile NONE of Atleti's other Brasilians EVER get called up for Brasil: Felipe Luis is great, and Miranada is one of the BEST in the world.

P.S. Hulk/Falcao at Porto was one of the most beautiful things ever to watch.
Exceeds Costa/Falcao beyond imagination.

I don't really see it that way. Hulk is a regular for the Brazilian national team and so is Fred who won the silver shoe in the confederations cup. I don't believe neither have a sorry existence on the Brazilian squad, in fact the past year and half has been their most important in the national team. Brazil play some beautiful football. They play with flash, tempo and pressurize opponents. Remember what they did to Italy in the considerations cup, Italy couldn't handle the speed and were breaking down all together and Brazil kept coming at them. Its Hulk presence that keeping the likes of Bernard, Lucas and potentially even Coutinho getting the call to start.

I do see were your coming from, Costa teammates ( vast majority) are Spanish internationals. They're going to persuade him more and more while the likes of Felipe Luis and Miranda opinions on rep Brazil wouldn't impact much considering they themselves don't hardly get the call which I find ridiculous that Scolari doesn't considering calling both of them up.

2-2, f*****g RM.

Ya, looks like Atleti wore themselves down. Unexpected.

Madrid are in some damn good shape plus proper squad rotation.
Scary.

Can't see Atleti lasting this season in both the CL and the league...

Atletico looked vicious out there, they looked like a pack of hunger wolves ready to beat down anyone but they wore themselves out indeed. Madrid are in form and really why wouldn't they be after spanking Schalke and one top of being with the depth in their squad that allows the likes of Barca and Madrid play for the long haul. Really wanted Atletico to win.

Oh, and congrats on the Cup win over Sunderland. Really thought the Black Cats would pull the magic out, but I guess it wasn't meant to be...
Let's go City!!!

Thanks bro!

Cheeky play.

The first goal though, no one saw him coming. Second goal Osasuna taking advantage of defensive mistake from Juanfran and third goal was a beauty set up from Osasuna, Atletico caught ball watching. What happened to the organized back line. We had key players Miranda, Koke and Arda Turan rested but we still put on a good side against lower table team. We had a few chances but Osasuna just outplayed Atletico. Set it up boys!

I've been thinking about it and can't criticize Simeone.
El Sadar is like going to Levante to get bikini waxed: Sergio will give you a happy ending even though you offered to pay him to NOT do so.

Maybe Simeone was banking on a draw, but he's definitely resting for the more important derby next week....

Lets hope for a win!

Looking good indeed. I'll see if I can find some of their matches.