(FOOTBALL) I won’t change —Costa

Chelsea striker Diego Costa insists he will not
alter his aggressive style of play after serving
his three-match suspension.

The 26-year-old was retrospectively given the
ban this week for violent conduct after an
independent regulatory commission on Friday
ruled he deliberately stamped on the ankle of
the Liverpool midfielder Emre Can during
Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final second
leg.

Although Costa claims there was no malicious
intent behind the stamp, he will take the
decision in his stride but not let it affect the
way he approaches the game.

"As far as what happened on Tuesday, the main
thing is when I get home I can go home and I
can go to sleep knowing that I've not done
anything wrong, because I never meant to do
that and it was not on purpose," the Spain
international told the Daily Telegraph.

"You can clearly see that on the video. But it is
a suspension. I have to accept that, I have to
take it. Obviously I feel sad because I'm not
going to be able to help the team, to play. But I
have accepted it and respect it.

"I'm not saying I'm an angel. I'm no angel. You
can see that. But every time I play I will play
the same way because that's the way I am.

That's what I need to do in order to support
my family. That's my bread and butter.

"Also, that's what I need to do for this club
and for the fans of this club, for the
supporters and for all the people involved in
this club.

"On the pitch I will always be like that. That's
my character and I will always compete and
compete – always. I'm a different guy off the
pitch, as you can see, but on the pitch I will
not change."