Costa turns to horse placenta in Champions League final fitness race

Atletico Madrid have sent star striker Diego Costa to Serbia for horse placenta treatment in a desperate bid to get him fit for the Champions League final against city rivals Real Madrid on Saturday.

The Brazilian-born Spanish international suffered a grade one hamstring tear during Los Rojiblancos' La Liga title decider with Barcelona at the Nou Camp last Saturday, where they earned a 1-1 draw to capture the title.

With Costa banging in 27 goals for Diego Simeone's side on the way to becoming the first team apart from Real or Barca to win the Spanish top flight in a decade, it's no surprise that Atletico are doing everything in their power to get the hit-man fit for the Champions League final in Lisbon.

Big-name clients

The 25-year-old will be treated in Belgrade by controversial "medical miracle worker" Marijana Kovacevic, whose previous clients include Robin van Persie, Frank Lampard and Vincent Kompany.

The treatment reportedly involves the massaging of placenta fluid onto the injured muscle.

However, Kovacevic's method has drawn criticism as it has no scientific backing.

Sources: ESPN FC, Mail Online, Mirror Online