‘Costa more important than Falcao’

Osasuna defender Alejandro Arribas has asserted that Diego Costa is more important than Radamel Falcao at Atletico Madrid.

Falcao has 21 League goals to his name this season, which is 17 more than Brazilian strike-partner Costa, but for Arribas, Atleti are more reliant on the latter.

“I think that Diego Costa is now even more important than Falcao, for he is in great form,” commented Arribas to reporters this week.

“I know him from last season, when we were at Rayo, and I think that he is a key player for any team. He is now at the highest level and is key to Atletico Madrid.

“His approach to playing? I know that I would always want him on my team. As a person he is exceptional, and is always joking, laughing.”

Arribas was talking ahead of his Osasuna playing host to Costa and Atleti this coming Sunday.

“It will be very demanding, we will need all our resources available to the players, against a great team.

“We are calm for recent form [two defeats]. We do not care if we play well or play badly, the important thing is to reach 43 points as soon as possible.”