Euro 2016

Juan Mata backs Diego Costa for Spain return

By Steven Toplis, Reporter | 07 October 2015

Spain midfielder Juan Mata is confident that Diego Costa will work his way back into the squad, after the striker was left out for the games against Luxembourg and Ukraine.

Spain midfielder Juan Mata has said that Diego Costa will work his way back into the squad if he remains patient.

The Chelsea striker has been left out of the squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Luxembourg and Ukraine, with Spain boss Vicente del Bosque claiming that he omitted the 27-year-old because he would be suspended for the Luxembourg clash.

Costa has struggled to reproduce his club form in a Spain shirt, but Mata feels that the frontman does not have it easy because of La Roja's patient style of play.

"Being the striker in a team like ours, with so many midfielders, is not easy," the Manchester United playmaker told Onda Cero.

"You have have to adapt and above all be patient, because there is a lot of time without touching the ball. But when you do get it you have to finish well. It is a very complicated role and players like [David] Villa or [Fernando] Torres did it very well, but it is difficult to come in and adapt.

"It is very difficult to face him. I would rather have him as a team-mate than a rival. His movement and goals will always create problems. Also because he fights with the centre-backs and causes friction that somehow knocks the opponents' concentration."

Costa has scored one goal in nine appearances for Spain.