Diego Costa Suffers Biggest Goal Drought of his Career

Atletico Madrid frontman, Diego Costa is suffering his longest goal drought in his career as his homecoming to the Roji Blancos has become a nightmare. Whatever one might have to say about Diego Costa’s abrasive, borderline explosive character, there has seldom been doubt about his proficiency in and around the penalty area. But as his painful drought continues the question must be raised: what is going wrong for Costa?

Costa made an instant impact coming back to Wanda Metropolitana at the start of 2018 halfway into the season from Chelsea after bitter fallout with boss Antonio Conte made him part ways. The Spain international netted in his first game back under the watchful eye of Diego Simeone and continued to impress as Atletico consolidated a laudable second place in La Liga ahead of city arch-rivals Real Madrid and winning the UEFA Europa League.  But, eighteen games and nine months have passed since Costa scored last in the red and white jersey.

Although Costa scored three goals in Atleti’s finishing runners up in La Liga and winning the Europa League, Costa’s form was dipping. The start of 2018-19 season saw its worst. He does not have a star performance this season other than netting two goals in the 4-2 win over arch rivals Real Madrid in UEFA Super Cup. That drought is hurting a side that is not exactly blessed with free-scoring players, Antoine Greizmann is their top Liga scorer with three on his name, As a result, Atleti are leaning more than ever on their exceptional defense and, in particular, goalkeeper Jan Oblak, to stay competitive domestically and in Europe.

Costa’s numbers have drastically reduced this season pointing out to a chronic lack of service. He averages just one shot per game, a rate closer to center back pairing Godin and Jose Maria Jimenez. Sadly, Costa also hasn’t shown the initiative to make his own chances, preferring instead to play off Greizmann and feed off whatever scraps fall his way.

This seems so uncharacteristic for the fiery, abrasive character that he has fallen well below the pecking order in Atletico Madrid as well as Spain national team. After not been able to play a game for full 90 minutes after September, Costa is expected to be cleared to play against Barcelona after returning to practice this week following an international break.