Champions League: Chelsea vs. Benfica – The Special One Returns

Jose Mourinho makes his anticipated return to the UEFA Champions League sidelines on Tuesday, leading Benfica in their second group stage match at his former home, Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho`s significant legacy casts a long shadow over this Champions League encounter. Both Benfica and Chelsea are eager to reclaim past glory, a desire accentuated by their current challenges. Following disappointing losses on Matchday 1, both teams face questions about their potential for a deep run in this season`s Champions League. Tuesday`s fixture provides an early opportunity to address these concerns, a task easier said than done.

The collective strength of both squads remains questionable for a significant Champions League impact. Benfica are naturally seen as underdogs against a Premier League opponent, yet Chelsea themselves have struggled this season. Manager Enzo Maresca is still seeking his ideal attacking lineup despite a wealth of options, further complicated by Cole Palmer`s absence due to a groin injury.

Chelsea vs. Benfica: Match Details

• Date: Tuesday, September 30
• Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Stamford Bridge – London, England
• Live stream: Paramount+
• Odds: Chelsea -160; Draw +300; Benfica +440

Mourinho`s Emotional Comeback

While Mourinho has managed other English clubs, his strongest association is with Chelsea, where he enjoyed two highly successful tenures. He anticipates a warm reception from the fans, a sentiment he confirmed to be mutual.

“I will always be a Blue,” Mourinho stated in his pre-match press conference. “I am part of their history, and they are part of mine. I helped them become a bigger Chelsea, and they helped me become a bigger Jose. My current affiliation only applies to the job at hand tomorrow.”

Benfica arrive at Stamford Bridge under less pressure, with the primary expectation resting on Chelsea. The intriguing question is which version of Mourinho and his team will appear. Mourinho returned to Benfica nearly 25 years after his initial managerial role there, boasting a rich Champions League history with wins at Porto (2004) and Inter (2010). However, his recent elite-level performances hint that his peak coaching days might be behind him; his last Champions League fixture was in March 2020, a 4-0 aggregate defeat with Tottenham against Julian Nagelsmann`s RB Leipzig in the Round of 16. Yet, facing a vulnerable Chelsea, an opportunity might arise for Mourinho to make a significant statement.

Chelsea`s Current Struggles

While Chelsea ended last season on a high note, securing the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup, their form has declined since. This season, they`ve managed only three wins in eight games across all competitions and achieved a non-penalty expected goals tally of just two in one match. When questioned about Mourinho`s impending return, manager Enzo Maresca implied he had more immediate concerns.

“It`s a privilege to face Jose, a legend for this club,” Maresca commented. “I feel fortunate to already be pictured at the training ground with the Club World Cup and Conference League trophies after just one season. Hopefully, one day we can all celebrate such moments together. While I`d certainly like fans to sing my name someday, my true goal is for them to chant `we`ve got our Chelsea back,` as that signifies our team is achieving something significant.”

To restore Chelsea`s former glory, Maresca must identify the optimal attacking combination, a task that has proven difficult. Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea`s leading scorer with three goals this season, will be crucial, and Maresca may also rely on Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro. Despite playing in most matches, their contributions have yielded inconsistent results, highlighting Chelsea`s fundamental challenge: a squad potentially lacking the depth for a serious Champions League challenge. However, a victory against Benfica could significantly boost their campaign.

UEFA Champions League Matchday 2 Schedule

All times U.S./Eastern

Tuesday`s Matches

Wednesday`s Matches