Courtois eagerly awaiting 'special' Chelsea reunion in CL semis

The Belgian shot-stopper is relishing the opportunity to line up against a club on whose books he was for eight long years.

Thibaut Courtois admits his exit from Chelsea “wasn’t in the best way” but is looking forward to the “special” reunion with his former team.

Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 on aggregate to reach progress past the Champions League quarter-finals stage while Chelsea did so by overcoming FC Porto 2-1.

The two teams will now clash in the semi-finals of the competition, with the first leg set to be played at the Alfredo Di Stefano near the end of this month.

3 – Real Madrid have faced Chelsea more often without winning than any other side in their entire history, failing to win in all three games against them (D1 L2), while their upcoming semi-final encounter will be their first ever UEFA Champions League meeting. Foes. pic.twitter.com/gBdCV3ZgTE
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 14, 2021

“It’s a special game against my former club,” Courtois told beIN Sports. “Since [Thomas] Tuchel came in, they’ve played 3-5-2, 3-4-3 and they’re doing well, not conceding many goals.

“It’s going to be a tough match but I hope we can come through it.”

Chelsea and Real Madrid will collide again for the second leg at Stamford Bridge in the first week of May.

Courtois added: “It will be very nice to see a lot of familiar faces and I wish there was public at Stamford Bridge because there was a lot of happy moments I had there.

“Even though maybe my departure wasn’t in the best way, or it was put that way, that it wasn’t the best way, I only have good memories. Two Premier Leagues, a lot of other trophies – I’m really happy to play them, but only one can be in the final and I hope it’s Real Madrid.”