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Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois among six Chelsea and Atletico Madrid links as two sides prepare for Champions League showdown

Two players on show were on opposite sides during 2014 semi-finals — while one is now on limbo ahead of Spain return

THERE will be many familiar faces on show at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night.

Atletico Madrid host Chelsea in one of the biggest showdowns in the Champions League this season.

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid players clash during semi-final first leg in 2014
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Chelsea and Atletico Madrid players clash during semi-final first leg in 2014Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Atletico Madrid beat Chelsea 3-1 when they met for second leg
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Atletico Madrid beat Chelsea 3-1 when they met for second legCredit: Reuters

The two teams have not met since the 2014 semi-finals.

However, one Atletico player from that night has since joined Chelsea, with one former Blue now in Red and White — and another having left the Spanish capital for London only to return again.

Famously, there is a player in limbo who has left one, but not officially returned to the other yet.

And one Chelsea star actually started his career in the Atletico academy.

Complicated?

We'll break it down for you.

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Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois was on loan at Atletico Madrid from Chelsea
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Thibaut Courtois was on loan at Atletico Madrid from ChelseaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Thibaut Courtois has established himself as one of best goalkeepers around
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Thibaut Courtois has established himself as one of best goalkeepers aroundCredit: Getty Images

Chelsea could not stop Courtois playing against them for Atletico in 2014 despite him being on loan there.

Courtois returned to Stamford Bridge that summer — and has since gone onto establish himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.

Filipe Luis

Filipe Luis clearly impressed Jose Mourinho during 2014 semi-final
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Filipe Luis clearly impressed Jose Mourinho during 2014 semi-finalCredit: Getty
Filipe Luis won the Premier League during his one and only season with Chelsea
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Filipe Luis won the Premier League during his one and only season with ChelseaCredit: AFP
Filipe Luis is back with Atletico Madrid and still and important player
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Filipe Luis is back with Atletico Madrid and still and important playerCredit: AFP

Brazilian clearly impressed Jose Mourinho during that 2014 semi-final, as the Special One brought him to Stamford Bridge that summer.

However, Luis struggled to adapt in England and returned after just one season.

Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres started his career at Atletico Madrid before joining Liverpool
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Fernando Torres started his career at Atletico Madrid before joining LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
Fernando Torres joined Chelsea for £50million but struggled to produce his best form
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Fernando Torres joined Chelsea for £50million but struggled to produce his best formCredit: Alamy
Fernando Torres is enjoying football again after Atletico Madrid return
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Fernando Torres is enjoying football again after Atletico Madrid returnCredit: AFP

He started his career with Atletico, before joining Liverpool and eventually Chelsea for £50million.

Torres started both legs of the 2014 semi-finals — for the Blues — but left for AC Milan that summer, before eventually returning to his boyhood club.

Tiago

Tiago spent one season at Chelsea and won the Premier League under Jose Mourinho
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Tiago spent one season at Chelsea and won the Premier League under Jose MourinhoCredit: PA:Press Association
Tiago waves goodbye to Atletico Madrid fans after retiring at end of last season
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Tiago waves goodbye to Atletico Madrid fans after retiring at end of last seasonCredit: EPA

Joined Chelsea in Mourinho's first season, and famous scoring a stunning strike at Old Trafford.

However, he left after a season and joined Atletico in 2010. Is not assistant to Diego Simeone.

Diego Costa

Diego Costa was one of the main performers for Atletico Madrid in 2013-14
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Diego Costa was one of the main performers for Atletico Madrid in 2013-14Credit: EPA
Diego Costa won two league titles in three season while at Chelsea
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Diego Costa won two league titles in three season while at ChelseaCredit: Rex Features
Diego Costa was in the crowd for Atletico Madrid's 2-0 victory over Sevilla at the weekend
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Diego Costa was in the crowd for Atletico Madrid's 2-0 victory over Sevilla at the weekendCredit: EPA

He was Atletico's main star in 2014, but also moved to Chelsea that summer, and won two league titles.

However, Antonio Conte told Costa he could leave at the end of the last campaign.

He is on the brink of completing a return — and could be presented in front of Blues fans on Wednesday night.

Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata is now banging in the goals since joining Chelsea
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Alvaro Morata is now banging in the goals since joining ChelseaCredit: Getty Images

Atletico received a cut of  the Spanish-record £65m Chelsea paid Real Madrid for the striker.

But in fact Morata actually started his career in the Rojiblancos' youth sides.

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