Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, who was injured while scoring against Getafe, told fans on Monday, "Of course I'll play" on Friday against Elche and completed a gym workout, although he did not train with the squad.
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caption:Diego Costa injured himself while scoring Atletico Madrid's second goal of the game.
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Atletico said Costa was not seriously injured despite being stretchered off after netting late on in Sunday’s 2-0 La Liga win. He spoke briefly to fans following Monday's training session in Majadahonda.
Costa, 25, scored the clinching goal for Atletico, his 26th of the season, stretching to meet a ball from Adrian Lopez, before knocking it over the line and then crashing into the post.
The striker was carried slowly from the pitch in obvious pain with his hands covering his face, though Atletico immediately played down the seriousness of the injury.
Por suerte Diego Costa sólo tiene una herida tras golpearse con el poste #AupaAtleti
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) April 13, 2014
“Fortunately Diego Costa just has a cut after colliding with the post,” the tweet read.
In his postmatch news conference, Atletico coach Diego Simeone echoed that sentiment, saying he had seen Costa in the dressing room and there was no need to be too worried.
“Costa is fine, he is happy,” Simeone said. “He made a great effort throughout. He has a cut, but it's not a big deal.”
Showing just how the club were keen to play down any fears over the injury, Simeone’s press officer Jose Luis Pasques also took to Twitter soon after the final whistle.
Sólo arreglar el poste.
— José Luis Pasques (@Pepepasques) April 13, 2014
“Relax guys,” Pasques wrote. “It’s all OK. Just need to fix the post.”
Atletico are three points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, and four above third-placed Barcelona, with just five La Liga games remaining.