Diego Costa says he relished playing against Real Madrid because of the inevitable "battle" with Sergio Ramos and Pepe.
The Chelsea striker joined Atletico Madrid in 2007 and went on to play a pivotal role in their success under Diego Simeone before he left for Stamford Bridge in 2014.
The 28-year-old admits that he used to relish derby encounters in the capital as it gave him the chance to scrap with Madrid's centre-back duo - although he insists their approach was always professional.
"I used to love the games against Real Madrid and the chance to face Pepe and Ramos," he told Sport TV.