Some Chelsea fans were left despondent last night as Diego Costa starred for Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup.
The Spaniard scored two goals past bitter rivals Real Madrid, with Atleti winning 4-2 after the teams went to extra time.
Costa was in a typically bullish and fiery mood, and set the tone by scoring inside the first minute.
The 29-year-old put himself about all game, and tussled with Sergio Ramos in particular.
He really took the game to Real, who lost their first competitive match under the management of new boss Julen Lopetegui.
There was of course no Cristiano Ronaldo for los Blancos after he was sold to Juventus, which perhaps had some bearing on Atletico’s performance.
The entertaining game made for a particularly difficult watch for some Chelsea fans though.
Some Blues supporters were pained to see Costa being a complete menace around the Madrid defenders.
Costa’s loss has been emphasised further
The reaction was largely borne out of comparisons to current striker, Alvaro Morata.
The 26-year-old has struggled to adapt to English football since his £58 million move from Real Madrid.
He has been criticised for his lack of physical presence and inconsistency in front of goal.
Costa’s time at Chelsea was largely succesful; he won two league titles and a League Cup.
He was often praised for his aggressive style of play and clinical finishing which is something Morata lacks.
Unfortunately by comparison he has looked tame and fans couldn’t help but reminisce about their former striker:
Diego Costa is such a big game player. Has that killer instinct that Morata clearly does not. Miss him everyday.
— ¹⁰ (@ClinicaIEden) 15 August 2018
i genuinely think if we still had costa we’d be title contenders this season
— Kai (@Alvaro29i) 15 August 2018
totally agree – unplayable
— Tom (@t_1904_) 16 August 2018
We really went from Diego Costa to Morata dawg pic.twitter.com/Qkx80dqO5R
— Consigliere (@Hustler_Futbol) 15 August 2018
We all miss Diego Costa at Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/6N25Y3EwEb
— WorldWideChels (@WorldWideChels) 15 August 2018
Break the bank and get him back. Miss you. @diegocosta xx
— davos (@th30nionkn1ght) 15 August 2018
One of the reasons I still hv anger over Conte was the firing of Costa
— Lionel (@adv_meli) 16 August 2018
No striker in the world has the kind of aggressiveness this guy possess…..
— BLACK RIC FLAIR (@Baygun_Snipes) 15 August 2018
Diego Costa, I miss him everyday. Best striker we’ve had since Drogba man. He had everything and was built for the premier league.
— Mod (@CFCMod_) 15 August 2018
Every single game I miss Diego Costa more and more. Bloody hell Conte.
— khalid (@khalidpschwarz) 15 August 2018
God I miss Diego Costa. He’d fit in perfectly for our current system
— Chelsea Photos (@ChelsPhotos) 15 August 2018