Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa will be banned for his side's Champions League trip to Juventus after picking up an early yellow in Wednesday's last-16 first leg.
Costa had been a doubt in the Atletico ranks after struggling with injuries in recent weeks before finally being confirmed in the starting line-up to play the tie.
But after less than 10 minutes the volatile ex-Chelsea man found himself in the referee's book as Atletico's clash with Juve started in a predictably fractious manner.
Team-mate Jose Maria Gimenez handed Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to score from a long-range free-kick early on after felling the striker eight minutes in.
Ronaldo's efforts to take the kick were then delayed by Costa, who was seen inching forward in the wall in a bid to narrow the Portuguese's angle on goal.
The subsequent decision to hand Costa a booking provoked a fierce reaction in the Atletico ranks, further raising the heat in the Wanda Metropolitano.
Ronaldo did not disappoint when eventually cleared to take aim, forcing Jan Oblak to make a spectacular flying save in the tie's first real chance.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone will now have to shuffle his hand ahead of the second leg, which will take place in Turin on March 12.
Alvaro Morata, a former Juve player himself, would be the logical choice to replace Costa against his old club, while Angel Correa could also feature alongside first-choice forward Antoine Griezmann.
rakbklnsty
0
SaiHtweKyaw11
1
Congratulation! You got it again Costa😂
Gomuj
0
It didn't require yellow 💳 at all, players are always in the hobbits of not exactly standing on the line and they don't receive yellow 💳 for that but instead the referee most often pause the play and instruct the players to go back on the line. Why only Costa?
Because he is costa 😂 Its really a 'costa' things. [Spittongue]
tipmnptyz
0
It didn't require yellow 💳 at all, players are always in the hobbits of not exactly standing on the line and they don't receive yellow 💳 for that but instead the referee most often pause the play and instruct the players to go back on the line. Why only Costa?
Javimor
1
i don't grab what did costa do
Didn’t stand at where the referee told him to stand when Ronaldo was taking his free kick
fuhamrt
0
referees just hate costa
U r right. they still perceive him like the old Costa
disbclmoru
1
Amanda-
2
It’s absolutely important to have a good coach or else.. this is what will happen. #fireallegri
gekko
0
lmao looks whose talking a real Madrid fan same team who depends on the referees
did you see the morata non goal. :) juve are supposed to go through.
JmoneyZ
2
I wonder why the tittle of the player with most yellow card is going to only Ramos when Costa is in La liga
Sodciklmop
1
habit, we know
Richiez
0
He would have scored in 2 nd leg to take Atletico to next round. So referee was just to keep it on the safe side. " can't play, can't score"
oh thanks
AngelBhusalBarçafan
0
i don't grab what did costa do
It should not have been a yellow. Referee has been too harsh on Madrid
Parthlm10
0
i don't grab what did costa do
He would have scored in 2 nd leg to take Atletico to next round. So referee was just to keep it on the safe side. " can't play, can't score"
zizcdnty
0
the governor for you
zizcdnty
0
nothing new
Tecbcdilp
2
referees just hate costa
ORUVAL2
1
Morata is there to replace him. Please, how old could this Diego Costa be??
Richiez
0
i don't grab what did costa do
gentlesoulnw
0
JUVENTUS will go through
teamgrizi7
0
That yellow was a bit harsh
Thoufey
0
it means morata will come in for him in 2nd leg.....
catadosty
0
Costa Diego take it easy
gekko
4
Thomas and Costa to miss second leg.
crystalmaxi60
1
Ramos' image
Fapelnotz
2
this match it's a beautiful
Godwinwhizee77
2
Costa the father of rough, not again
Fisabiopsu
1
this match I can see ex fun's hurting and long term rivals keep on hunting the man. #CR7⚽
danriwbik
5
Costa tackles badly like as if they are playing Kung Fu in match
Merabti_soheib
0
when has a player been given yellow card for a small step forward in a free kick line.
ask the ref boi ;)
gekko
0
not quite the logic reason
when has a player been given yellow card for a small step forward in a free kick line.
siabmpz
8
juventus will win dis game
seaninho
2
Costa.. always committed to his team, even if it requires being goofy and insane
donbdelnru
2
costar will make this game boring now esh
Longlife2000
3
it'd a big blow for Atletico Madrid
Merabti_soheib
1
that was a soft yellow card. Referee is leaning towards juventus to ensure better matches in later stages of UCL
not quite the logic reason
Jsmooth
1
Just Diego being Costa... nothing new 🤷🏾♂️
Abbawaziri
2
Diego costa makes the game interesting and exciting no one can forget his return to Atlectico😁.
lahanlyon2000
3
he deserves it. and did anyone see his acting
gekko
0
lmao looks whose talking a real Madrid fan same team who depends on the referees
yes. to set up real Madrid juventus final :)
macjenise22
2
see morata smiling from the stands
hibabceost
1
that was a soft yellow card. Referee is leaning towards juventus to ensure better matches in later stages of UCL
lmao looks whose talking a real Madrid fan same team who depends on the referees
gekko
1
that was a soft yellow card. Referee is leaning towards juventus to ensure better matches in later stages of UCL
ELDER GODWIN
3
this game already looking like an el classico