Diego Costa has reignited his fued with Antonio Conte by taking a swipe at his former boss prior to Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Barcelona.
Before the match at the Nou Camp, Costa uploaded a picture of the Chelsea line-up on his Instagram story, but scribbled out Conte’s name.
Costa had fallen out with Conte back in the summer after a text message from the Italian ended his Chelsea career and promoted him to go on strike in Brazil.
Diego Costa put a snap a of Chelsea’s line-up on Instagram, but erased Antonio Conte’s name
The pair traded barbs during Costa’s stand-off, in which he accused the club of treating him like a ‘criminal’, before he completed his return to Atletico Madrid in January.
Despite Costa now being happily settled back in Spain, it seems the forward has still not forgiven Conte over their text message row.
Costa gave an exclusive interview to Sportsmail about his fall-out with Conte last August.
‘You should be honest and direct to someone’s face,’ Costa said of how his Chelsea tenure came to a close. ‘I was with the Spain national team, alone in my room, when it came through.
‘It was a shock to get it like that. I was showing it to my team-mates and they could not believe how he had done it.
‘I was angry at the time. Now I am more calm. I have not deleted the message. If people accuse me of lying, I can show them. It was clear, saying that he didn’t count on me and wishing me the best for the future. Full stop.
Chelsea boss Conte on the sidelines at the Nou Camp on Wednesday evening
‘There was no conversation or talks. Conte has his mentality. He thinks it’s the best way of working.
‘He arrived from an Italian league where everyone is very serious and arrived in a dressing room where there are maybe more jokes.
‘The worst bit of all this, it is for the fans. They have always treated me so well — always, always. For this, I am sad. I hope they understand things happen in football.
‘Conte is a great coach. He deserves to be where he is but it’s his opinion. He has his reasons.
‘I’m not a criminal! I don’t think it is fair after all I have done to be treated like that.