DIEGO TRULY WANTS TO PLAY..

The most lethal player in Spain right now isn't Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale or even Lionel Messi. It's Atletico's Diego Costa, the man who scored the only goal in his side's first La Liga win against Real Madrid since 1999. It took him just 11 minutes to score his eighth goal in seven matches this season — one more than Cristiano Ronaldo, who has taken 60 shots so far this season and the same number as Lionel Messi, who has taken 34 shots. Diego Costa, meanwhile, has only taken 21 shots.

The Brazilian born 24-year-old who recently became a Spanish citizen and might be on the verge of joining Spain's national team has never scored more than 10 goals in a domestic league season (though he did have 20 in all competitions in 2012/13). As of last year, his primary role in the Madrid derby was to serve as a target for Sergio Ramos' spit. But he has now helped Atletico win two in a row at the Santiago Bernabeu by scoring in last season's Copa del Rey final and again in Saturday's 1-0 win, ending a 23-match winless streak against Real Madrid in the league.

The honeymoon period for Carlo Ancelotti has run its course at Real Madrid and the Italian faces his first rumblings of discontent after the home defeat to Atletico Madrid in the city derby.

Real lie third in La Liga after seven games with 16 points, five adrift of champions Barcelona and Atletico who have both swept to perfect starts in a league that allows very little margin for error.

Real and Barca won the last two league titles, in 2012 and 2013 respectively, by amassing 100 points each, dropping only 14 points over their 38 games, and on current form Ancelotti's team appear to be losing their way rather than improving. In Atletico, and with this start to the campaign they (Real Madrid and Barcelona) might have lots running in their mind as Diego Simone's side keep churning the positives despite the Argentine coach claims of having them tagged non-title contenders.

Niceties aside, Atletico Madrid are keeping pace with Barcelona as they now have seven wins in as many matches and Diego Costa has eight of their 19 goals scored. Maybe Real Madrid should have spent €100 million on him over the summer if only so they wouldn't have to play against him anymore.