Simeone forgives Diego Costa after Europa League dismissal

09/12/2012 4:40:00 AM

The Atletico Madrid head coach says he has pardoned his forward for getting sent off on Thursday, and insists that the Brazilian will always be an important part of his game plan

Diego Simeone has revealed that Diego Costa will retain his place in the side despite the striker recently receiving a straight red card.

The striker was sent off for a headbutt in a Europa League tie against Czech side Viktoria Plzen on Thursday.

It is not the first time Costa has been caught headbutting a player, in the Madrid derby, he stuck his head into Sergio Ramos. But the Rojiblancos boss revealed after Costa's latest headbutt that he sees him as a valuable asset and does not care what others think about his player.

"On a personal level, Diego Costa is still a player that I rate highly and love having in the team," Simeone told a press conference.

"He plays a very important role for us and I do not care what people might say about him."

Atletico Madrid's next game is against Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in a match set to start at 19:00CET, and the Colchoneros coach highlighted where he believes his opponents will threaten the most.

He added: "They have some players unavailable for the match, but we have to remember they still have strong forwards and they are threatening down the right-hand side."

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