Costa eyes Spain improvement

Posted Thursday, September 03, 2015 by Foxsports.com

Chelsea striker Diego Costa is determined to score more goals in the red shirt of Spain as he prepares to make his eighth cap for his adoptive nation.

The 26-year-old bagged 20 goals for the Blues during his debut season in England, but his switch from Brazil to Spain has not gone as smoothly as his transition to the Premier League, with one goal in seven caps.

Having joined Vicente del Bosque’s side in a period of turbulence that saw them exit last year’s World Cup earlier than expected after years of dominating international football, Costa is now looking to step up his game for La Roja.

"I think what's missing is that I need to score goals," he said. "Every game, I'm getting better physically. I know I can give a lot more to the team and hopefully that will start right now.

"Strikers need to score goals, that's what I've been lacking here. When I score, my confidence will be higher and everything will come together."

Costa is hoping to lead the line for Spain in their Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovakia on Saturday, when the holding European champions will be hoping to draw level with the Slovaks at the top of Group C.

"I feel that I owe the team, I haven't done anything yet," he added. "I have to repay the faith that has been placed in me.Maybe I have been a bit nervous but that's why it's important to play well now.

"I'm getting to know my team-mates better and, although the style is different for me, there are great players here. I need confidence. Adapting to this style is easy. We have very skillful players and I don't have any excuses; I have to do things better."