Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois backs Alvaro Morata to handle hostile Atletico Madrid reception: 'He will get a different one from me!'

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Thibaut Courtois expects team-mate Alvaro Morata to be given a baptism of fire when he lines up to face Atletico Madrid, but the Chelsea goalkeeper has heaped praise on the striker ahead of the clash.

Antonio Conte's side travel to the Spanish capital looking to cement their supremacy in Champions League Group C, after Atletico drew their opening match with Roma while the Blues battered Qarabag 6-0 earlier this month.

Courtois made 111 La Liga appearances for Los Rojiblancos during three seasons on loan between 2011 and 2014, and he will be guaranteed a warm reception from the home support - but he anticipates Morata will have to block out the jeers. 

Chelsea manager Thibaut Courtois is expected to receive a warm reception at Atletico Madrid

Alvaro Morata will spearhead the attack with Atletico fans set to give him a hostile repcetion

'He will get a different one from me!' Courtois told Chelsea's official website. 

'Alvaro played a lot of games against Atletico [for Real Madrid]. I think he scored, I am not sure, so for him it will be a big game against his rivals. 

'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.' 

The Belgium stopper will be greeted by some familiar faces despite new surroundings at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium and he is relishing the chance to play in front of a capacity crowd of 68,000 on Wednesday. 

Courtois has fond memories of having won La Liga with Atletico during the 2013-14 season

Diego Costa is likely to be in the stands once more at the Wanda Metropolitano for the game

Costa has agreed to return to Atletico but Courtois is happy with Morata as his replacement

The match comes a week after Chelsea and Atletico agreed a £57.5million fee for the sale of Diego Costa, who is set to be an interested observer from the stands as his current and future employers do battle.

Following the end of a protracted transfer saga, Courtois is looking forward to being reunited with his team-mate - but he believes that in Morata, Chelsea have the ideal replacement.

Courtois added: '[Costa] is a very good friend and it will be nice to see him there. I am happy that until the New Year we don't have to face him and I hope we continue in the Champions League. 

'You never know if we can face him later but I prefer not! He was always a nice guy in the dressing room. I have known him for six years and he is a good friend.

'We have a new striker and he is doing well and we have to move on. As a friend I will miss Diego, and as a player as well, but Alvaro came in and is doing a job so we are happy with that.'