Thibaut Courtois hopes not to get a negative reaction as he returns to Chelsea as Real Madrid goalkeeper.

The Blues host Los Blancos in the first leg of their quarterfinal match on Wednesday as they hope to produce a repeat of their semifinal triumph over Los Blancos from last season.

The match last season was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus, so this will be the first time Courtois plays in front of his former fans since he left for the Spanish capital in 2018.

Courtois told Real Madrid’s official website: “I hope they (Chelsea fans) do not offend me, but you never know.”

“I am prepared for whatever happens and we will have to see how it goes.”

“I hope it is a happy return to Stamford Bridge. We are now rivals. They will want to win and the same goes for me and so I do not expect any applause from the fans,” he added.

The 29-year-old joined Chelsea in 2011 and spent seven years at the club, although the first three seasons were spent on loan at Atletico Madrid.