Football
PA Sport 9y

Douglas Costa defiant over 'circus' tricks despite Arjen Robben criticism

Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa does not understand what all the fuss is about after his showboating in a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.

The Brazilian flicked the ball over his and Julian Brandt's head towards the end of another comfortable win for the Bavarians, but he was reprimanded by his own teammate Arjen Robben.

Robben said such tricks "belong in the circus," suggesting that Costa was ridiculing his opponents and that it was an unnecessary provocation which could result in an injury.

While Costa says he respects Robben's opinion, and understands where he is coming from, he also says it is just part of his game and he will not change it.

"If I get the chance then I will do it again," Costa said at a news conference while on international duty with Brazil. "I'm not going to change my style of play because it might bother some people.

"That is just the way we Brazilians are."

Fellow Brazil star Neymar also faced criticism for showboating during Barcelona's Copa del Rey final victory over Athletic Bilbao last season.

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