Diego
Costa admits it was a mistake to throw a bib at Jose Mourinho and is adamant
his relationship with the Chelsea manager is "amazing".
The Spain striker tossed the training garment over his shoulder as he came
back into the dug-out during the Stamford Bridge side's 0-0 draw at
Tottenham on November 29.
Although it missed Mourinho, the Chelsea manager was asked about the
incident afterwards and played it down as he insisted Costa's behaviour was
normal.
The player himself has conceded he should not have done it, while pledging
to improve having struggled for much of 2015.
After scoring 18 times up to mid-January, Costa has only found the net
another seven times since with just four goals this term.
He recognises a need to raise his game, particularly with a place in the
Spanish European Championship squad to play for.
Having come off the bench during the 1-0 weekend defeat to Bournemouth,
Costa was restored to Chelsea's starting line-up for their 2-0 Champions
League win against Porto.
He forced the opening goal as his attempt deflected in off Ivan Marcano
before Willian clinched victory in the second half.
He wants to build on that and feels winning their European group thanks to
Wednesday's success will help him and the Premier League champions do that.
Speaking after the game, Costa told Spanish radio station Onda Cero: "I have
to improve a bit. The start of the season has not been good for me, not in
how I have played nor in goals.
"I know I have to be better to go to Euro 2016 with Spain. I have to work
hard and fight but I know I have time to improve and I hope I will.
"The bib [incident] is in the past. I made a mistake but my relationship
with Mourinho is amazing, we get on really well. There are things you need
to control, but the bib thing was an impulse.
"The truth is Chelsea haven't been in a great moment, above all losing the
other day at home. Today it was important to win to make the fans happy and
to recover our confidence."
Costa, meanwhile, has not ruled out making a return to his former club
Atletico Madrid in the future.
After the forward moved to London, full-back Filipe Luis made the same
transfer but has since returned to the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Costa believes he could do the same thing at some point, and added: "You
never know, look where Filipe Luis is now.
"Life takes plenty of twists and turns. I always wish Atletico the best and
I always follow them, support them from afar."
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