'Don't Boo Me'- Courtois Pleads With Chelsea Fans Ahead Of Stamford Bridge Return
Thibaut Courtois has pleaded with Chelsea fans not to give him a hostile reception when he returns to Stamford Bridge with Real Madrid on Wednesday.
For the second season running, Chelsea and Real Madrid will meet in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League, but this time it will be in the quarterfinals.
The two sides met in last season's semi-finals where Chelsea triumphed 3-1 on aggregate before beating Manchester City in the final to lift the trophy for a second time.
On those occasions, coronavirus restrictions were firmly in place, meaning both ties were played behind closed doors.
Those restrictions are not in place this time round and Courtois will get the chance to face Chelsea fans for the first time since leaving the club in the summer of 2018.
Courtois spent four years as a first team regular at Chelsea after spending three years on loan at Atletico Madrid.
Courtois won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one League cup with the Blues before returning to the Spanish capital by joining Real Madrid.
"I hope that they (supporters) don't boo me, but you never know," the Belgium goalkeeper said at a pre-match press conference.
"I hope it's a happy return to Stamford Bridge. We're now rivals. They'll want to win and the same goes for me.
"So I'm not expecting any applause from the fans."
