Blues to face own keeper in semi

Chelsea’s own goalkeeper is poised to stand between them and a place in the Champions League final after the 2012 winners were drawn to play Thibaut Courtois’ Atletico Madrid.

The 21-year-old Belgium goalkeeper is on loan at Atletico for a third successive season and Chelsea insist he will be free to play against them, in line with Uefa rules, as the clubs compete for a place in the May 24 final in Lisbon against Real Madrid or defending champions Bayern Munich.

It was reported that Chelsea would allow the Spanish side to play the Belgian in both legs of the semi, provided they paid a fee of around €3m for each game.

However, Uefa moved to clarify that it expects Courtois to be free to face the Blues in both legs.

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said: “It is quite simple, Courtois can play against Chelsea, that was never in doubt.”

Uefa has already warned the “integrity of sporting competition” means Courtois must be free to play.

“Any attempt to enforce such a provision would be a clear violation of both theUefa Champions League and the Uefa disciplinary regulations and would be sanctioned accordingly,” a statement said.

Courtois played against his parent club in the 2012 Super Cup, when Atletico were 4-1 winners.

Real’s pairing against Bayern brings together two clubs that have won the competition 14 times between them.

Real, who booked their place in the last four with a win over Dortmund, have won European club football’s top prize nine times — but not since 2002 — and host the first leg on April 23.

Bayern’s chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on his club’s website: “It’s going to be a duel that both Bayern and Real fans can look forward to.

“I’m sure Pep [Guardiola]’s looking forward to it too. We’re up against one of the best sides in the world, a really great team.”

Real Madrid’s former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is also relishing the game, and looks forward to coming up against a Guardiola side.

“He is one of the best coaches in the world.”