Courtois warns Morata of getting a hostile reception at Atletico Madrid
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has said he is expecting a good reception from Atletico Madrid fans but has warned teammate Alvaro Morata to expect the opposite.
Courtois spent three successful seasons on loan at Atletico from 2011, winning the Primera Liga title, Copa del Rey and Europa League, as well as reaching the 2014 Uefa Champions League final.
The Belgian returns to his former club on tonight as Chelsea look to cement their place at the top of their Champions League group following the 6-0 win against Qarabag in the opening round. Atletico drew their opener at Roma.
However, while Courtois is set to get a warm welcome, Morata, formerly of Atletico’s arch rivals Real Madrid, could be in line for a hostile atmosphere.
“He will get a different one from me. Alvaro played a lot of games against Atletico. I think he scored, I am not sure, so for him it will be a big game against his rivals,” Courtois told the Chelsea website.
“For me it will be more friendly but between the 90 minutes we are playing there will be rivalry for me as well because they want their team to win.
“We know he is a top striker. We know he has this ability and we’re very happy for him that he scored his hat-trick [against Stoke City on Saturday] ... a striker lives on goals and he has already scored a few important ones this season.”
Courtois, 25, also said he is looking forward to seeing Diego Costa, who recently left Chelsea to rejoin Atletico after falling out with manager Antonio Conte.
Costa will be eligible to play for Atletico from January 2 when the Spanish transfer window opens and the club’s transfer ban ends. Fifa had banned the Madrid side for illegal transfer of minors.
“He is a very good friend and it will be nice to see him there,” Courtois said. “I am happy that until the New Year we don’t have to face him and I hope we continue in the Champions League.”
Meanwhile, David Luiz is expected to play for Chelsea tonight despite a broken wrist.
The defender fractured his arm against Arsenal, when he was also sent off to incur a three-match ban which expires after Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Midfielder Eden Hazard is expected to start, while club captain Gary Cahill could return in defence for the Premier League champions.
The other game in the group sees Roma visit Qarabag.
Elsewhere, Barcelona, bidding for a fifth Champions League title in 13 years, will look to build on their impressive start in Group D. They defeated Serie A champions Juventus 3-0 two weeks ago, and now travel to Portugal to go up against Sporting Lisbon.
Sporting manager Jorge Jesus accepts it is almost impossible to beat Barcelona, but remains confident his side – who came boast an unbeaten domestic record from seven matches so far – can tackle the daunting challenge ahead of them with a positive mindset at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
“We have a lot of responsibility and now Sporting must continue to win points,” he said. “We are convinced that we can take something off Barcelona.”
Juventus host Olympiakos in the other tie in the group.
Meanwhile, Celtic fans risk arrest if they turn up for tonight’s clash with Anderlecht in Group B without a ticket, according to the Belgian club.
A big travelling support is expected but fans have been warned they could be arrested if they end up in the municipalities of Anderlecht or SaintGilles without a match ticket.
He will get a different one from me. Alvaro played a lot of games against Atletico. I think he scored, I am not sure THIBAUT COURTOIS