Diego Costa went face-to-face with Chelsea after sealing Atletico Madrid return... and he even hugged Conte in tunnel (but it was Antonio's brother!)
- Chelsea sold Diego Costa to Atletico Madrid for £57million earlier this month
- Brazil-born Spain forward will not be able to play for his new team until January
- Costa was in the stands to watch new side face former employers on Wednesday
- Atletico Madrid hosted Chelsea in Champions League at Wanda Metropolitano
- To the disappointment of Costa, the Blues secured dramatic last-gasp victory
After a volatile afternoon in Atletico Madrid colours several years ago, the Spanish newspaper Marca ran the headline 'Dr Diego and Mr Costa'.
It perfectly encapsulates Diego Costa's Jekyll and Hyde personality.
In the tunnel at Atletico's sparkling new stadium on Wednesday, the warmer side of Costa's temperament was on display.
Diego Costa (R) watches the action at the Wanda Metropolitano alongside ex-player Tiago (L)
The warmer side of Costa's temperament was on display as he watched the European action
Costa was left with his head in his hands at the full-time whistle as Chelsea secured 2-1 win
Television cameras did not spot the anticipated confrontation between Costa and his adversary Antonio Conte — the man he claims ended his Chelsea career by text message back in June.
There was, however, a warm embrace for Conte's brother Gianluca, who is the assistant first-team coach at Chelsea.
This was the first time since the FA Cup final in May that Chelsea found themselves in Costa's vicinity, after a summer in hiding in his hometown of Lagarto.
His former team-mates, several of whom have remained in contact via WhatsApp all this time, joined the fond pre-match farewells.
Television cameras did not spot anticipated confrontation between Costa and Antonio Conte
There was, however, a warm embrace for Conte's brother Gianluca (R), who is a Blues coach
Despite the repeated transfer requests, despite the threat of legal action, despite the summer strike, many at Chelsea remain fond of Costa.
They remember the striker who catapulted them to two Premier League titles. They remember the prankster who poached the keys of training ground buggies and dumped vehicles in a ditch at Cobham.
Here Costa was a content man once more.
Antoine Griezmann gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot in the first half
But Chelsea hit back in the second half through Costa's replacement, Alvaro Morata
Another of Chelsea's strikers, Michy Batshuayi (R), popped up with a dramatic last-gasp winner
He sat in the stands alongside former Chelsea and Atletico midfielder Tiago and was already back training on Wednesday.
In the club shop, his replica jersey is already on sale for €101. Amusingly, club-branded babies' dummies are also in stock.
Perhaps Diego Simeone knows one may be required for this captivating, exasperating man later down the line.
For now, however, soothing peace has broken out and not even a defeat for his new side will disrupt his pride.
Costa shared a picture of himself in Atletico Madrid colours for the first time on Wednesday
Atletico Madrid re-signed Costa with the striker set to join on January 1, 2018
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