KIERAN GILL - THE NUMBERS GAME: His last was against Brighton on Boxing Day – a header after a peach of a ball from Cesar Azpilicueta put the goal on a plate for him at Stamford Bridge.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has praised Diego Costa's performance against Sporting Lisbon as they won 2-0 in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

It’s Zidane against Simeone, Costa against Ramos, and Bale against the Bernabeu. Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid will not decide the Spanish title this year but there is still plenty resting on game.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid lock horns at the Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon with plenty of local pride at stake. Join ADAM SHERGOLD for all the action as it unfolds.

Arsenal have been given a huge boost ahead of their Europa League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid as Diego Costa is 'unlikely' to play. The deadly striker has been in sensational form.

Diego Costa will be back to torment Arsene Wenger this week in Europe, three years after he last left his mark on the Arsenal manager in the Premier League.

Atletico Madrid's players have touched down in London ahead of their Europa League semi-final clash against Arsenal... with Costa and Torres returning to the city they once called home.

One nil to the Arsenal. It was never going to be enough. Even before Atletico Madrid equalised, there was always the fear Arsenal might not be able to defend such a slender lead in seven days time.

Diego Costa appears at the doorway of the Atletico Madrid dressing-room, an hour before kick off. 'Lads,' he announces with a big grin. 'It's Arsenal.'

Sportsmail provide you with information for the Europa League final Marseille vs Atletico Madrid including time, date, location and how to watch plus how both teams made it to the final.

For the two enfant terribles in the recent history of the Premier League, this Europa League final threw up two sorely contrasting evenings.

Spain are determined to regain the World Cup this summer and Julen Lopetegui's squad seem to be getting on very well as they step up their preparations for the tournament.  

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: A rare error from Manchester United keeper David de Gea meant Spain failed to sign off with a win before they fly to Russia as one of the World Cup favourites.

The World Cup in Russia is just around the corner and all 32 finalists have named who has made the plane and who will be staying at home.

Ramos placed a finger over his lips and struck a provocative pose after finding himself as the subject of criticism following his role in Real Madrid's Champions League win over Liverpool.

Spain stepped up their preparations for opening their World Cup campaign against Portugal in five days' time with a training session in Krasnodar on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck in the dying moments to seal a hat-trick and rescue a 3-3 draw for Portugal against Spain in a stunning Group B contest at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi.

he controversial striker looked to have finally met his as he was given a telling off by captain Sergio Ramos as Fernando Hierro's men geared up for their clash with Morocco on Monday night.

Russia defender Sergei Ignashevich says he is not bothered by potential provocation from World Cup opponents Sergio Ramos and Diego Costa because of the Video Assistant Referee system.

The mood in Fernando Hierro's Spain camp appears to be hugely relaxed ahead of Sunday's last 16 clash with Russia. La Roja were pictured enjoying an evening session in Krasnodar.

Leaning back on a sun-lounger outside his family’s modest Brazilian home last summer, Diego Costa’s mind fleetingly turned to the World Cup.

Before kick-off at the Luzhniki, all the talk was about the member of the great Spain side of 2010 who was absent - however it was those that remained ended up under the harsh spotlight.

Chelsea plan to 'withhold' part of Antonio Conte's severance package as they feel his infamous text message to Diego Costa damaged his transfer value and cost the club millions.

Diego Costa scored a brace on Wednesday night to drag the match against the Champions League holders to extra-time before Koke and Saul Niguez struck to win the tie for Atletico Madrid.

Salah, who had been so vital in the club's charge to the Champions League final, had his evening cut short in May due to an injury to his shoulder, sustained when Ramos hauled him to the ground.

Aside from Juventus, United should face easier rides against Valencia and Young Boys, who return to the group stages this year. However Ronaldo's reunion can't be dismissed.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has withdrawn from the Spain squad for the Nations League matches against England and Croatia, with Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas replacing him.

The 29-year-old scored 52 goals across three Premier League campaigns at Stamford Bridge and was a part of two title-winning squads but he was allegedly deemed surplus to requirements by Conte.

Liverpool's Champions League group was blown wide open by a late Lorenzo Insigne winner for Napoli on Wednesday night. Relive all the action here with Sportsmail's JAMES DUTTON...

Wales welcome Spain to the Principality Stadium in a friendly fixture ahead of their UEFA Nations League clash against the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday. Follow all the action here.

Diego Simeone's side would be guaranteed a place in the knockout stages of the competition with a victory against Monaco at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: There have been flashes of the beast that Chelsea signed but all too often the dark clouds have rolled in. On the pitch he has lost his edge and off it something is affecting him.

Tottenham face a must-win home tie against Inter Milan as they bid to keep their hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stages alive. Follow all of the action with NATHAN SALT.

Atletico Madrid have confirmed Diego Costa will have an operation on his left foot in Brazil this week. The surgery will keep him out until February.

Diego Costa has stepped up his rehabilitation from a foot injury, with Atletico Madrid hoping to have the striker fit for their Champions League last-16 clash against Juventus on February 20.

Eden Hazard was back to his brilliant best in his preferred role on the left-wing against Tottenham on Thursday after playing in a false 9 role in recent weeks.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa appeared to be enjoying himself as he relaxed after a training session at the club's Wanda Metropolitano stadium.

Sportsmail provide you with everything you need to know for the Champions League kast-16 first leg of Atletico Madrid vs Juventus including kick-off time, date and channel plus squads and odds.

PETE JENSON: Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid ended in a 2-0 defeat that goes a long way to end his dream of winning a sixth Champions League back in the Spanish capital next May.

Away from the main action, there were several talking points which may have slipped under your radar. Don't fear, Sportsmail is here to catch you up on the things you missed...

It looked as though Chelsea fans were really missing Diego Costa after his performance in Atletico Madrid's win over Juventus on Wednesday. Costa re-signed for Atletico in 2018.

A World Cup winner who has played with some of football's biggest talents, Antoine Griezmann was never going to be short of options when it came to choosing his dream five-a-side team.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: There isn’t a single Atletico Madrid supporter who hasn’t dreamed of it: June 1, winning the Champions League in their own stadium, third time lucky.

This was Operation Cristiano Ronaldo in all its glory. Without the Champions League trophy since 1996, Juventus turned to the man who has caused them so much heartache.

KIERAN GILL - THE NUMBERS GAME: Chelsea lost Costa in 2017. Morata could not fill his boots, while Giroud has long been deemed a back-up striker. Now it is Gonzalo Higuain’s turn.

Sergio Ramos attracts both controversy and admiration for his attitude and ability - yet one thing rarely acknowledged is his ability as a goal scorer. He has scored 16 times in all competitions this season.

John Terry has spoken about his future managerial ambitions and also revealed some of the bizarre superstitions he had as a player. He had a variety of unusual quirks.

The visitors battled on despite their numerical disadvantage and did excellently to frustrate Barca for so long. Oblak made nine saves before being beaten by Suarez's fine strike on 86 minutes.

Gerard Pique was pictured having a word in Diego Costa's ear as he walked towards the tunnel, with some suggesting he was trying to wind-up the Spain striker.

Diego Costa has been told by Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone that ‘any player who wants to leave, can leave,’ as the controversial striker returned to training.