Berlin: Arjen Robben has warned his Bayern Munich team-mate Douglas Costa to tone down his 'circus tricks' after the Brazilian's audacious heel flick in their Bundesliga win over Bayer Leverkusen.
Costa lobbed the ball over Leverkusen's Germany under-20 midfielder Julian Brandt with a deft flick of his back heel in the 81st minute of Bayern's 3-0 win at the Allianz Arena, which caused a stir after the match.
Bayern's Thomas Mueller (right) celebrates with teammate Douglas Costa after scoring his side's opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen 04 in Munich on Saturday. (Photo: AP)
Robben, the new captain of the Netherlands, said the Brazil winger should restrain his skills in future matches.
"I'd be careful. It looks good, the spectators clap, everything is wonderful and he does it very, very well," Robben told Sky after scoring Bayern's third with a penalty after Thomas Mueller scored twice.
"But one shouldn't forget the score was 3-0 at the time and you need to respect the opposition. That was a bit dubious, I think. It belongs in the circus."
But Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said Costa, who is in the Brazil squad for their September internationals, should continue to express his considerable talent on the pitch.
"I'm not a Brazilian, I'm a Catalan, so I can't do things like that," said Guardiola.
"He's a super player, I don't really like things like that, but (Barcelona's Brazil international) Neymar is just the same and Douglas is also a Brazilian.
"He's an outstanding player, very level-headed and always shows the opponent respect.
"He's a winger, so it's okay, it's just part of his game."
Costa has made an immediate impact since his summer signing from Shakhtar Donetsk as a shoo-in on Bayern's left wing with Franck Ribery out injured, and has already claimed a goal and four assists with deadly crosses.
Germany star Thomas Mueller has scored five goals in three games and says the Brazilian's pace has boosted Bayern's attack.
"He is an enormous help to us forwards, because he is very fast down the wing and then puts in good crosses," said Mueller.
"But it means you have to work hard, as a striker, to keep up with the pace."
