Thibaut Courtois told Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema to switch ends for the start of their big Champions League clash at Chelsea for a specific reason.
Former Blues goalkeeper Courtois returned to his old side and received a spiky reception by the home fans.
What's more, the Belgium international wanted to face the music as he gave his skipper some tactical advice.
He told Benzema to switch ends at Stamford Bridge because he wanted to play in front of the most hostile stand from the start.
The 29-year-old started in goal in front of the Matthew Harding Stand which is considered as the main end at Chelsea.
He also knows that his ex-teammates like to attack that stand in the second half of games, according to The Athletic.
Courtois conceded a Kai Havertz header in the first-half, with his team running out 3-1 winners thanks to a stunning hat-trick by Benzema.
Courtois, who was on the books at Chelsea for seven years and won two Premier League titles, was disappointed to be booed on his return to the club.
"Obviously I knew it wouldn't be friendly, especially in the stadium," he told BT Sport.
"Maybe if you see some people outside the ground they will be more friendly.
"It's obviously part of football, that's unfortunate because how they painted my departure was not how it went through.
"But I'm happy with the result and I will always care about the special moments here at the Bridge, two leagues.
"It's not easy to win two Premier Leagues in four years, so I'm happy for that and the moments here, so what happened today [the boos] I don't take it too much."
Courtois is likely to start in goal in the return leg on Tuesday when the Spanish giants host the Premier League outfit.
Topics: Chelsea, Football, Karim Benzema, Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid
Nasir Jabbar