Diego Costa

[Styles 9,790]

I know it would end his international career, I was just hoping he would be dropped to the bench for next month's matches.

The more the Spanish media are convinced that he is not the man to lead their attack, the better for us...

Oh ffs, not again? I thought this was the last round of international matches for a while.

[Styles 9,790]

Oh and I saw his miss the other night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3LYmDd9Wqo

He isn't good at scoring on that kind of angle. He's already missed that kind of chance twice for Chelsea (against Everton and Sporting Lisbon). He doesn't seem to get his body shape right, well not enough to give him a proper angle to curl the ball into the far corner. Hopefuly he improves on that because with his ability to get in behind teams he will have plenty of chances like that.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Oh ffs, not again? I thought this was the last round of international matches for a while.

Nope. There's another one next month. It's the gift that keeps giving...

[Barbara 15,149]

I know it would not end his international career, I was just hoping he would be dropped to the bench for next month's matches.

The more the Spanish media are convinced that he is not the man to lead their attack, the better for us...

The Spanish media doesn't decide anything though, otherwise del Bosque wouldn't be there anymore.

He was basically skinned alive by them during the WC as well as a few players...

Oh and I saw his miss the other night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3LYmDd9Wqo

He isn't good at scoring on that kind of angle. He's already missed that kind of chance twice for Chelsea (against Everton and Sporting Lisbon). He doesn't seem to get his body shape right, well not enough to give him a proper angle to curl the ball into the far corner. Hopefuly he improves on that because with his ability to get in behind teams he will have plenty of chances like that.

His goal against Arsenal is basically the same thing... I don't think he has a problem with the angle. His shots were saved then and this one was missed and he scored from the same position (sort of) against Arsenal.

That's not a problem at all. Just a bad choice at the moment or lack of luck (Howard's save was outstanding and I think Rui Patricio also did a good job although in that position the player just has to score)

[Styles 9,790]

The Spanish media doesn't decide anything though, otherwise del Bosque wouldn't be there anymore.

He was basically skinned alive by them during the WC as well as a few players...

His goal against Arsenal is basically the same thing... I don't think he has a problem with the angle. His shots were saved then and this one was missed and he scored from the same position (sort of) against Arsenal.

That's not a problem at all. Just a bad choice at the moment or lack of luck (Howard's save was outstanding and I think Rui Patricio also did a good job although in that position the player just has to score)

Against Arsenal, Costa was central to the goal; Szczesny had advanced, and with the ball on the bounce, that allowed Costa to simply lift the ball over the keeper.

Brilliant goal but very different to the kind of situation/angle that I'm talking about.

[Barbara 15,149]

Against Arsenal, Costa was central to the goal; Szczesny had advanced, and with the ball on the bounce, that allowed Costa to simply lift the ball over the keeper.

Brilliant goal but very different to the kind of situation/angle that I'm talking about.

which angle you're talking about then? (so I can understand)

[Styles 9,790]

which angle you're talking about then? (so I can understand)

The chance at 3.50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbasB3Dz_-0

I wouldn't say that was a great save by Howard; it's more of a miss than it is a save in my opinion, if that makes sense?

If I recall correctly the Sporting Lisbon chance was quite similar.

[Barbara 15,149]

The chance at 3.50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbasB3Dz_-0

I wouldn't say that was a great save by Howard; it's more of a miss than it is a save in my opinion, if that makes sense?

If I recall correctly the Sporting Lisbon chance was quite similar.

come on, that's a brilliant save... absolutely brilliant.

I still don't get it. You mean he isn't good in 1 vs 1 against goalies that go and close down his angle options? You talked about him having a problem with the angle, but each of those misses come from different angles. For Spain he's very centralized, although cutting inside a bit, in the Everton he's totally coming from the flank and as far as I remember against Sporting, it was a very centered attempt too. So which angle are you talking about?

Regardless of not understand what you're labeling as a problem, I'll give my two cents.

Costa isn't a technically gifted player. He's very smart and he has an incredible ability of making the most out of shots (his dribbling for that Willian goal two weeks ago isn't something I can see him pulling out successfully a lot).

So everything that requires a more refined touch or technique, I think he'll lack. But he doesn't need a refined or fancy touch to score those goals. He could just hit it hard, in a good angle.

In this last season's goals compilations he scored 1x1 with goalies coming out to get the ball and close down his angles in 10 occasions out of 36 goals scored (0:38; 0:58 - this one identical to Howard's save which just makes me believe further it was a great save, he really stretched out his already big leg; 1:12; 1:20, 1:36; 2:24; 2:42; 3:03; 3:24 - in this one instead of shooting, he chose to dribble the GK; 3:34). Notice that in some of these goals not only he had the goalie ahead of him, but also a defender. I don't think Diego has a problem with certain angles. He's predictable, every time he's cutting in and the goalie is closing him down as well as the angles, he's going for a wide shot. He also could have a larger repertoire, with curls, chips, high balls. But I don't think it's an angle problem.

Also I remember watching this very same video before he signed for us and I remember my thoughts exactly: 'that's not that impressive' because I was looking at those goals and thinking that they weren't that hard to score, a bunch of sitters, with a few good goals mixed. The thing with a good striker is that he doesn't make impressive things often, he just keeps scoring. That's the impressive part. And in that sense, Diego is more than impressive - and I once again admit I was completely wrong about him.

[Styles 9,790]

come on, that's a brilliant save... absolutely brilliant.

I still don't get it. You mean he isn't good in 1 vs 1 against goalies that go and close down his angle options? You talked about him having a problem with the angle, but each of those misses come from different angles. For Spain he's very centralized, although cutting inside a bit, in the Everton he's totally coming from the flank and as far as I remember against Sporting, it was a very centered attempt too. So which angle are you talking about?

Regardless of not understand what you're labeling as a problem, I'll give my two cents.

Costa isn't a technically gifted player. He's very smart and he has an incredible ability of making the most out of shots (his dribbling for that Willian goal two weeks ago isn't something I can see him pulling out successfully a lot).

So everything that requires a more refined touch or technique, I think he'll lack. But he doesn't need a refined or fancy touch to score those goals. He could just hit it hard, in a good angle.

The Everton angle, mostly. And I could have sworn that the Lisbon miss was from a similar angle. Maybe it's the fact that Costa is trying to curl the ball into the far post in all three chances that is making them seem similar in my mind. So yeah, perhaps it isn't the angle itself but his shooting form/technique when trying to aim for that corner and he isn't getting enough curl/whip on the ball.

I really don't think it's a great save by the way. It's a good save, don't get me wrong, but I think that should be a goal 9/10.

In this last season's goals compilations he scored 1x1 with goalies coming out to get the ball and close down his angles in 10 occasions out of 36 goals scored (0:38; 0:58 - this one identical to Howard's save which just makes me believe further it was a great save, he really stretched out his already big leg; 1:12; 1:20, 1:36; 2:24; 2:42; 3:03; 3:24 - in this one instead of shooting, he chose to dribble the GK; 3:34). Notice that in some of these goals not only he had the goalie ahead of him, but also a defender. I don't think Diego has a problem with certain angles. He's predictable, every time he's cutting in and the goalie is closing him down as well as the angles, he's going for a wide shot. He also could have a larger repertoire, with curls, chips, high balls. But I don't think it's an angle problem.

Also I remember watching this very same video before he signed for us and I remember my thoughts exactly: 'that's not that impressive' because I was looking at those goals and thinking that they weren't that hard to score, a bunch of sitters, with a few good goals mixed. The thing with a good striker is that he doesn't make impressive things often, he just keeps scoring. That's the impressive part. And in that sense, Diego is more than impressive - and I once again admit I was completely wrong about him.

Thanks for the video.

Yeah, technically he isn't the best - which really isn't a problem. A lot of those finishes were scuffed shots but they still went in which is all that really matters. One of the Sky pundits recently went through Costa's Atletico goals from last season and he kept saying "he didn't hit that one cleanly", and to be fair, he was right.

[TheOneChan95 225]

The Everton angle, mostly. And I could have sworn that the Lisbon miss was from a similar angle. Maybe it's the fact that Costa is trying to curl the ball into the far post in all three chances that is making them seem similar in my mind. So yeah, perhaps it isn't the angle itself but his shooting form/technique when trying to aim for that corner and he isn't getting enough curl/whip on the ball.

I really don't think it's a great save by the way. It's a good save, don't get me wrong, but I think that should be a goal 9/10.

Thanks for the video.

Yeah, technically he isn't the best - which really isn't a problem. A lot of those finishes were scuffed shots but they still went in which is all that really matters. One of the Sky pundits recently went through Costa's Atletico goals from last season and he kept saying "he didn't hit that one cleanly", and to be fair, he was right.

I sort of agree, as long as it goes in we won't complain. But it would be good if he did have the technique to put more curve on it for instance. But his shooting style is pretty good for a striker that usually scores in the box in that it is always low. I said it before I don't recall him blasting many over the bar at all.

[Special Juan 27,424]

Against Arsenal, Costa was central to the goal; Szczesny had advanced, and with the ball on the bounce, that allowed Costa to simply lift the ball over the keeper.

Brilliant goal but very different to the kind of situation/angle that I'm talking about.

It's quite understated how difficult a chance that is to take. Some may say "Oh he only has to touch it" that isn't true, the balance and execution of that is not easy at all. If we are talking the whole thing, firstly the chest touch has be 100% immaculate so that 1. The ball doesn't get away from him and 2. The finish is quality because he has to stay balanced, but execute perfectly whilst putting enough purchase on it to not only nick it over the keeper, but to have enough pace to make it enter the goal before the defender can deal with it.

One of my favorite Costa goals this one.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

It's quite understated how difficult a chance that is to take. Some may say "Oh he only has to touch it" that isn't true, the balance and execution of that is not easy at all. If we are talking the whole thing, firstly the chest touch has be 100% immaculate so that 1. The ball doesn't get away from him and 2. The finish is quality because he has to stay balanced, but execute perfectly whilst putting enough purchase on it to not only nick it over the keeper, but to have enough pace to make it enter the goal before the defender can deal with it.

One of my favorite Costa goals this one.

Most players will take an extra touch after controlling tye ball with the chest and the chance of lobbing the keeper becomes a helluva lot harder.

Liked the way he waited for the ball to bounce to his advantage before the actual finish with the lob.

[beyondinvisible 47]

One of my favorite Costa goals this one.

Yes, it's simply beautiful.

I always used to think he was a brute force striker. After watching him play regularly this season, it's obvious that he's so much more than that. Yes, he's strong and uses his strength to bully defenders but he's also good with his positioning, times his runs into the box well, and is generally aware of what's going on around him. 32 million is a huge bargain. Compared to the other transfers, he would have been worth closer to 45-50 million.

The scary part for other teams is that I don't think he has fully developed as a striker yet. He could still get better!

[The Skipper 20,593]

Costa still seems to be technically underrated by some IMO, sure he isn't the most technically gifted but he's still very good technically IMO, even though if it does look unorthodox on the eye. It's not a weakness at all for him.

[Barbara 15,149]

Costa still seems to be technically underrated by some IMO, sure he isn't the most technically gifted but he's still very good technically IMO, even though if it does look unorthodox on the eye. It's not a weakness at all for him.

yeah, but I don't see him dribbling, having a fancy finish or a mesmerizing goal all the time. He's technique is somewhere else. I think maybe we should start using the word flair instead of technique.

[Special Juan 27,424]

I think one word that sums him up is 'Dangerous'

I mean this guy has joined a league where a lot of people didn't even think he would score 10 all season, let alone do what he has done so far. People can analyse his finishing, his body shape, his touch, his aerial ability and his all round game, the fact remains this guy is fucking quality at what he does…….he just does the job that's asked of him every single time.

[Jase 43,479]

Against Arsenal, Costa was central to the goal; Szczesny had advanced, and with the ball on the bounce, that allowed Costa to simply lift the ball over the keeper.

Brilliant goal but very different to the kind of situation/angle that I'm talking about.

Speaking of Szczesny, had no idea what was he doing. He looked like he was going to come out but then backtracked. Yes, the ball was bouncing but had he came a few more yards out, the goal might not have happened at all. In the end, he was like neither here nor there.

[Styles 9,790]

Speaking of Szczesny, had no idea what was he doing. He looked like he was going to come out but then backtracked. Yes, the ball was bouncing but had he came a few more yards out, the goal might not have happened at all. In the end, he was like neither here nor there.

It's the touch on his chest that took Szczesny out; Costa got his first touch absolutely right and didn't allow Szczesny the chance to close him down. The assist and the finish itself were both of high quality, but that touch to guide the ball into his path without breaking stride was sensational.