PETE JENSON: If La Liga had started when Diego Costa played his first league game this season, then Atletico Madrid would be top and heading for the title.

PETE JENSON AT THE NOU CAMP: Career goal number 600 for Lionel Messi, it was special, it broke another record and it probably won the league for Barcelona.

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.

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.

PETE JENSON: It’s no wonder Diego Costa wants to risk everything to run out at the Emirates on Thursday. The dark lord of Diego Simeone's side has fond memories of tormenting Arsenal.

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.

Sportsmail's SAMI MOKBEL watched Arsenal's Europa League semi-final first leg draw against Atletico Madrid on Thursday, and gives his player ratings here...

Diego Costa's reputation as a trouble-maker goes before him from his days at Chelsea. Now that the Spanish striker is back at Atletico Madrid it appears that old habits die hard.

A second-half penalty from Kevin Gameiro was enough for Atletico Madrid to beat a tough Alaves side as Diego Simeone now turns his attention towards their second leg against Arsenal.

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.'

Atletico Madrid booked their place in the Europa League final after they saw off Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side at the Wanda Metropolitano on Thursday evening. 

MARTIN SAMUEL AT THE WANDA METROPOLITANO: Diego Costa appears at the doorway of the dressing-room before kick off. 'Lads,' he announces with a big grin. 'It's Arsenal.'

SAMI MOKBEL AT THE WANDA METROPOLITANO: Arsene Wenger's hopes of a fairytale finish to his Arsenal tenure came to an end thanks to a close-fought semi-final.

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.

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.

A Diego Costa-inspired Atletico Madrid came from behind to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start against Monaco.

Atletico Madrid's stars were in high spirits as they prepared for the visit of Club Brugge in the Champions League. 

The La Liga outfit confirmed the injury news on Friday afternoon ahead of the weekend's action - in which Atletico take on Real Betis on Sunday afternoon.

Atletico Madrid have edged past Catalan minnows Sant Andreu in the first leg of their Copa del Rey clash on Tuesday evening courtesy of a first-half strike from Gelson Martins. 

Ousmane Dembele came off the bench to rescue a point for Barcelona in their highly-anticipated showdown with Atletico Madrid. Relive all the action with Sportsmail's MAX WINTERS 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.

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.

Simeone reached the milestone with a 4-0 victory over Spanish minnows Sant Andreu in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey. Under Simeone, Atletico have won seven major trophies.

Diego Costa proved he has lost none of his mischievousness since leaving Chelsea for a return to Spain in 2017 by playing a hilarious prank on his brother.

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.

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...

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.

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.

Diego Costa may have played his last game for Atletico Madrid depending on Wednesday's Spanish Football Federation decision on how many games he will be banned for after his red card.

With just seven games left Costa, who was shown a straight red card, will not feature for the remainder of the season and may have played his last game for Atletico Madrid.

Diego Costa has decided not to train with his Atletico Madrid team-mates, despite the club confirming he is not suffering from an injury. He received an eight-game ban for a red card last week.

Atletico Madrid are ready to cut ties with Diego Costa and sell him in the summer transfer window - despite Diego Simeone wanting him to remain at the club.

Carlo Ancelotti is said to be an admirer of the former Chelsea forward and approves of his club's interest in the Spanish international. Costa has endured a tough first full season back at Atletico.

The Atletico Madrid striker played an old school yard trick on an unassuming young mascot before the friendly with Beitar Jerusalem.

Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani 'has agreed a move from Paris Saint-Germain to Atletico Madrid'. He is Atletico's No 1 summer target if Diego Costa departs for the Chinese Super League.

Atletico Madrid have prioritised a move for PSG striker Edinson Cavani this summer. Diego Simeone has selected the experienced Uruguayan as an option.

Diego Costa is ready to talk to Everton over a stunning return to the Premier League after two years away, according to The Sun.

Real Madrid were torn apart by their fierce rivals in New York as Atletico Madrid put on a seven-goal masterclass in the International Champions Cup clash in New York City.

Diego Costa scored four goals and was later sent off as Real Madrid were beaten 7-3 by city rivals Atletico, leaving Zidane 'hurt' but 'not concerned' at the result.

Atletico Madrid have been hit with a setback after in-form striker Alvaro Morata was ruled out of the upcoming match with Eibar due to a knee injury.

Only when the dark nights have been and gone and this tournament reaches its late stages, will we find out whether Pep Guardiola has what it takes to resolve the frailties at the back of his team.

The 30-year-old is generating interest and Al Rayyan see Costa as a viable alternative to Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic, after talks broke down to acquire the Croatian this summer.

While Atletico are still keeping pace with La Liga's top two, their performances have left fans frustrated with three of their last four league games ending as goalless stalemates.