Brazilian striker Diego Costa proved there was life after Radamel Falcao at Atletico Madrid as he scored twice to help the King's Cup winners to a 3-1 win at Sevilla in their La Liga opener on Sunday.
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Colombia forward Falcao was sold to Monaco for more than 50 million euros ($66.66 million) in May after scoring 28 league goals for Atletico last season.
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Costa had reportedly also been a multi-million euro target for Liverpool, but last season's third-placed finishers hung on to the powerful frontman and last week extended his contract to 2018.
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He returned the faith shown in him with a poacher's goal on Sunday, volleying in the opener at a corner in the 35th minute and, after Sevilla had equalised, tore onto a through ball to strike the second low into the corner 11 minutes from time.
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Cristian Rodriguez scored a wonderful solo effort to make sure of the points for the visitors at the end.
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"Costa had a very good pre-season, putting in a lot of work, and he knows he has to be physically strong at all times," coach Diego Simeone told reporters after a game that finished at almost one in the morning local time.
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"He is very important for us because of his character which is contagious for the rest of the squad.
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"Goals are a consequence of all this. Diego unsettles rivals and opens up the pitch for us."
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Costa, a player very much cut in the same abrasive image as former Argentina captain Simeone, was the ideal foil for Falcao last season with his physical presence and uncanny ability to get under the skin of his opponents.
Radamel Falcao was really dope when he was in Atletico Madrid so he would definately be missed!