Atletico Madrid opened their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Real Madrid in Tallinn with Diego Costa scoring a brace, leaving Los Blancos wondering whether they need a player like the former Chelsea forward.
It took Costa just 50 seconds to open the scoring in Estonia with Real Madrid starting the match still on the beach.
Costa battled for every loose ball throughout the 120 minutes of play, latching onto his own knock-down header before firing a shot past Keylor Navas at an impossible angle.
Cristiano Ronaldo's departure inevitably leaves the European champions with a shortfall in terms of goals, and with no notable attacking signings having been made this summer there are concerns that Julen Lopetegui is heading into his debut campaign with a blunt attacking corps.
In his robust style, the Spanish international caused Real Madrid huge trouble in defence, and he galvanised his teammates as the match went into extra time.
Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale have both been expected to take on the mantle from Ronaldo, yet neither gave their team anything near what Costa brought to Diego Simeone's side.
A brief flirtation with Robert Lewandowski earlier in the summer was the club's only foray into the market for a centre-forward, yet it appears to be a position of real concern ahead of the LaLiga opener against Getafe.
Simeone feels he now has the perfect squad to challenge for success in both LaLiga and the Champions League, and in Costa's performance on Wednesday we've perhaps seen what will likely be the difference between the two Madrid clubs in the 2018/19 season.
Mimiboy
80
I hate conte for letting Costa leave Chelsea Madrid please take back ur MORATA
Abatism
74
Diego Costa reminds me of Antonio Conte....Costa in Athletico playing and scoring goals while Conte is off duty and employed!
as_win10
68
Ronaldo: Real, did. u miss me
Pocho1
61
Letting CR7 go without a proper replacement, was a huge mistake by RM, even though replacing him is next to impossible since the only other player in his level is Messi. I do applaud Real RM fans for sticking by their team. Look at the bright side you guys lost a lot of plastic fans, CR7 fan girls, who are now become juve fans, at least you got rid of that human garbage.
iam10nzz
55
A big yes! because no coach would count on Borja Mayoral or Odegaard to step up in big games aside from Benzema. Madrid need a better striker than Benzema and Costa put together and that player for me Rodrigo who is currently in Valencia
Muscab_Abdukadir
29
with out Ronaldo, Real madrid is worst team😰😰