Jose Mourinho was left empty-handed on his return to Stamford Bridge as his Benfica side suffered a tight 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League.
Richard Rios found himself in the wrong place as Alejandro Garnacho crossed into the box early in the first half, the ball deflecting off him and into his own net, and that proved the difference in an often scrappy game.
Benfica were often the better side but could not find a way past Enzo Maresca’s men, who went down to 10 for the third straight game as Joao Pedro - on as a second-half substitute - was brandished with a second yellow for a high boot in stoppage time. He will miss the Blues’ next European fixture against Ajax.
Mourinho, who won three Premier League titles across two stints in west London earlier in his career, received a warm reception at Stamford Bridge but was predictably the centre of some drama himself, receiving a yellow for protesting a foul his side were not awarded in the second half.
Follow all of the latest from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below:
Chelsea vs Benfica live
- Chelsea and Enzo Maresca earn breathing room but Champions League glory looks a long way off
- '90+6 RED CARD! Joao Pedro gets second yellow as Chelsea's string of sending-offs continues [CHE 1-0 SLB]
- '18 GOAL! Benfica turn in own goal despite bright start [CHE 1-0 SLB]
'We can win with 10 players' - Enzo Maresca
Tuesday 30 September 2025 22:42 , Flo CliffordEnzo Maresca tells TNT Sports: “The effort was very good. First half I think we were better compared to the second half in the way we managed the ball and created chances. Second half we dropped.
“In the last two three games we have conceded two, three goals and it's not possible to do that. We need to be better defensively but a clean sheet is nice.”
On Joao Pedro's red card, he says: “A good thing is we are improving and we can win with 10 players. But I think he did not touch on the second one but the dynamic of it is that it was dangerous.
“For us it is a journey that started this season and game after game, we get better.”
'The boys did okay' - Jose Mourinho
Tuesday 30 September 2025 22:34 , Flo CliffordJose Mourinho chats to TNT Sports. Asked what he liked from his players and what needs some work, he says: “We played four matches, two game in between matches. I have never trained. I just do recovery. One of my strengths is training, we haven’t had time for that … Some difficulties and big pressure on the players with elections at the club, they cannot escape that.
“We were organised, we studied Chelsea well. We coped well with the designs they put on the pitch. Cucurella in between the lines or out wide. And then a difficult moment with three midfielders on a yellow card in a match with quick transactions. Today, we did enough to get a point and we must now find points elsewhere.
“As a coach that arrived 10 days ago it is a positive feeling. But the next two matches: Porto away and Newcastle away. It is what it is. I told the guys that Chelsea is better than Porto. The boys did okay.”
Chelsea and Enzo Maresca earn breathing room but Champions League glory looks a long way off
Tuesday 30 September 2025 22:26 , Flo CliffordMiguel Delaney reports from Stamford Bridge:
Chelsea get what they need, Jose Mourinho gives just about enough of what was expected.
The club’s greatest ever manager ended up offering most of the colour to an otherwise drab and predictable 1-0 win.
Enzo Maresca can sit a little more comfortably ahead of the visit of erratic Liverpool this weekend. Mourinho exits stage left, now needing his Benfica to properly dig into the bottom reaches of the Champions League opening stage.
Chelsea earn breathing room but Champions League glory looks a long way off
A concerning trend?
Tuesday 30 September 2025 22:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat’s three red cards in four games for Chelsea, with Joao Pedro tonight following following Trevoh Chalobah against Brighton and Robert Sanchez against Manchester United. It may have been victory but does Enzo Maresca need to sort out his side’s discipline?
Pedro Neto reacts to Chelsea's win
Tuesday 30 September 2025 22:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleChelsea's Pedro Neto speaking to TNT Sports post match on his team's win: "We knew the difficulties we had in the first game and we tried to work hard to manage those difficulties and today was the resilience of the team that came through.
"I think we had a very good game. In the end we could have controlled it a bit more with the quality of what we had but in the end we have the three points.
"It's a tough team to face at home, we knew we needed to work hard, we did well."
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 22:07 , Flo CliffordRelief for Chelsea as they managed to see out the game, despite managing it pretty poorly in the second half. They have Benfica’s poor finishing largely to thank for the lack of equaliser, rather than their own defence.
But a win’s a win and their Champions League campaign is off the mark, even if Maresca may have cause for concern over his side’s disciplinary antics, with this the third straight game one of his players has been sent off.
FULL-TIME! Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:56 , Flo Clifford90+8 mins: There are two balls on the pitch and Mourinho is the hero as he jogs on to boot one off.
There’s the final whistle! Chelsea survive. Mourinho gives Maresca a hug and storms off down the tunnel.
RED CARD! Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:55 , Flo Clifford90+5 mins: Second-half substitute Joao Pedro receives a second yellow for a high boot, and he’ll miss their next Champions League game, against Ajax.
Yet another game in which a Chelsea player gets a red.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:53 , Flo Clifford90+5 mins: Chelsea make a foray up the other end but Joao Pedro is smothered by red shirts.
TNT Sports comms say it was in fact Mourinho who was brandished with that yellow for protesting. That should be an entertaining post-match press conference...
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:51 , Flo Clifford90+3 mins: The Benfica bench have a yellow brandished in their direction over a foul they weren’t awarded.
The visitors are pushing...
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:49 , Flo Clifford90+1 mins: Mourinho appears to be seething. The corner is headed behind by James.
This still feels open...
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:48 , Flo Clifford90 mins: The volume ratchets up as Estevao dances past his man, that footwork is something special, but the move tails off.
Another corner to Benfica, again won by Ivanovic.
Six minutes of added time.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:47 , Flo Clifford89 mins: Neto goes into the book, an eighth yellow card of this game, I think for delaying the restart.
Cucurella tries to find Joao Pedro near the byline but he runs out of room.
Aursnes is replaced by Henrique Araujo.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:46 , Flo Clifford88 mins: Pavlidis gestures to the travelling support to make some noise. Benfica win a corner... it’s getting tense. The visitors are pushing.
Dahl takes it, it’s headed back out to Otamendi, but his attempt is easily saved by Sanchez.
Caicedo spares Chelsea’s blushes as he clears the resulting counter. Maresca’s men are living dangerously.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:43 , Flo Clifford85 mins: A slightly frantic final few minutes so far. Neto palms a close-range attempt straight into Trubin’s midriff. Ouch.
CHANCE! Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:42 , Flo Clifford84 mins: Benfica have numbers forward, Ivanovic tries to cross in but it’s cleared on the edge of the area... now James does brilliantly to sprint back and make the crucial block as Aursnes tries to cut it back at the byline!
Otamendi claims it bounced off James’ arm as he slid forward. He gets a booking for the temerity; in fact it came off his chest.
Aursnes swings in the resulting corner and although it’s initially cleared, Dahl plays in a good ball... Ivanovic takes a touch but his left-footed drive drifts wide!
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:39 , Flo Clifford81 mins: Maresca makes some more changes: James and Acheampong on for Gusto and Badiashile.
Into the final 10.
SAVE! Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:37 , Flo Clifford79 mins: Chelsea bring down Aursnes and now the hosts counter... Enzo is booed as he shoots, Estevao is only a couple of yards out as he tries to head it in on the turn - but Trubin tips over the bar!
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:35 , Flo Clifford77 mins: Ivanovic, Barrero and Schjelderup come on for Benfica; Lukebakio, Sudakov and Rios are hooked.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:34 , Flo Clifford76 mins: Joao Pedro elbows Otamendi to the ground; the Benfica captain is clutching his face, but it looked like he took an elbow to the chest, not the face.
He points to his chin as he has a bit of a debate with Pedro, who’s lucky to have avoided a caution there, already on a booking.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:31 , Flo Clifford73 mins: Silva can’t continue after that head injury and he’s replaced by Tomas Araujo.
Chelsea have a corner... Enzo’s delivery is flicked on by Neto and onto the roof of the net.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:28 , Flo Clifford70 mins: This half has been a little scrappier... and just as I say that, Chelsea work it forward through Chalobah, Neto curls in a great cross, but Antonio Silva makes the crucial defensive header to knock it behind!
The physio is called on to give the Benfica man some treatment after that heroic move.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:23 , Flo Clifford65 mins: Aursnes is next into the book for a sliding challenge on Caicedo, no hesitation there from German referee Daniel Siebert.
Gittens crosses across the face of goal towards Netro but Sudakov just about manages to hold him off... Chelsea recycles but Estevao heads onto Barrenechea as he attempts to get the ball into a more manageable spot. Danger averted.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:20 , Flo Clifford62 mins: Changes for Chelsea: Gittens and Joao Pedro come on, for the misfiring Garnacho and the anonymous George.
Pedro immediately gets a booking, for something involving a challenge, but it’s hard to see what. Free-kick on the left, quite far out for Benfica.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:17 , Flo Clifford59 mins: End to end stuff - and Chelsea counter - and Garnacho lets fly from range and simply launches it over the bar! What a waste.
Mourinho feels hard done by as he feels there was handball by Enzo when he got in a tangle with Lukebakio... VAR agrees with the on-field call, no penalty.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:15 , Flo Clifford57 mins: More promising for Chelsea, who win a corner. Neto plays it short, Chelsea recyle and Neto lofts in a deep cross... it’s cleared.
CHANCE! Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:12 , Flo Clifford54 mins: Tad overdramatic from Caicedo as he hits the deck after clattering into Pavlidis. He’s not the one who came off worse there.
Benfica counter but again run out of room! Sudakov plays it forward for Aursnes mere yards from goal but he gets in a tangle once again.
Wunderkind Estevao comes on for Buonanotte.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:09 , Flo Clifford51 mins: Rios hasn’t been on his best day. He seems outraged to be booked for leaving it late on Buonanotte, but has no real grounds to complain.
Neto and Enzo stand plotting over a Chelsea free-kick for a while but it goes nowhere.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:06 , Flo Clifford48 mins: Benfica have come out in this second half with some intent... a lovely move comes to naught as Pavlidis takes the ball on the turn but rather than smash it down the centre, plays it on... and eventually Aursnes runs out of room, falling on top of Sanchez before he can let fly a shot.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:04 , Flo Clifford45 mins: Buonanotte gets a booking almost immediately for bringing down Barrenechea.
SECOND HALF: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:03 , Flo CliffordHere we go again.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:56 , Flo CliffordChelsea lead and have looked bright on the counter, with Garnacho and Neto by far the liveliest, but Benfica are by no means out of this one yet.
Mourinho had a face like thunder as he headed off at half-time - how will his men respond after the break?
HALF-TIME: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:48 , Flo Clifford45+1 mins: Fernandez gets a yellow for delaying the restart.
It looked earlier that he went over to the travelling support to applaud them before he took the corner, but the Benfica fans did not respond in kind, pelting him with what looked like plastic pint glasses. Very poor.
Lukebakio sends in deep free-kick, Benfica work it to Pavlidis, but his touch is poor and Chelsea immediately counter... but that’s the end of the half. Mourinho is straight down the tunnel, not happy.
CHANCE! Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:47 , Flo Clifford45 mins: Neto and a Benfica shirt both go for the ball and the Chelsea man ends up in a heap on top of him. He gives him a hug and a cheesy grin, he’s having fun.
Chelsea break again and George gets a toe to it straight in front of goal but Trubin blocks!
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:44 , Flo Clifford43 mins: Fernandez wins a free-kick around 18 yards out on the left, it’s in a dangerous spot... Neto’s delivery is headed well over by Badiashile. A fraction offside anyway.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:42 , Miguel Delaney at Stamford BridgeVintage Mourinho as he leaves his technical area - by some distance - to implore the Benfica fans not to throw stuff at Enzo Fernandez.
Peace-maker.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:41 , Flo Clifford39 mins: Garnacho releases Cucurella down the left flank but his angled attempt is caught by Trubin!
The keeper then looks a bit bashful as he takes a poor touch and has to chase back to clear the ball... dicey moments.
Mourinho heads over to the Benfica fans behind the goal to stop them throwing things at former player Enzo... this is rather ugly.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:37 , Flo Clifford35 mins: Barrenechea goes into the book for standing on Buonanotte’s foot, which he objects to, and so too does Mourinho by the looks of things.
Benfica are struggling to keep the ball a little but Rios heads another Chelsea attack clear.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:33 , Flo Clifford31 mins: Mourinho is pacing up and down looking a tad agitated. Rios goes to ground and is heaved up by Enzo.
Garnacho and Neto look the most lively for Chelsea. George has not seen much of the ball yet. Garnacho now lofts a cross into the box... it drifts deep and there’s no one there at the back post to latch onto it.
Ex-Chelsea man Nicolas Jackson has just scored for new club Bayern against Pafos, by the way.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:30 , Flo Clifford28 mins: Palmer is shown all wrapped up in what looks like a giant sleeping bag on the Chelsea bench.
His teammates are pressing, but Benfica haven’t let their spirits drop after that early own goal.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:25 , Flo Clifford23 mins: Lukebakio has the beating of Cucurella with a fine run this way and that into the box, but opts for a cross rather than a shot himself. Badiashile gets in the way of Pavlidis, who goes down in the area and tries his luck at a penalty. No way, mate.
Buonanotte now has a go from range but it’s a comfortable save for Trubin.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:20 , Flo Clifford18 mins: Benfica have played some nice football but are undone by an own goal. Neto curls a deep ball to the on-running Garnacho, who cuts it back, and Rios miscontrols it, blasting into the roof of his own net! Very unfortunate.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:19 , Flo Clifford18 mins: Rios forces Sanchez into a close-range save as he’s let loose in the area.
Cucurella tries a break but Benfica turn it over... and they’re nearly turned over by a backpass to their keeper, who mishandles it and has to jog back sharpish to his goal to control it!
Back and forth at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea press again, Pedro Neto looks to the sky in disbelief as his effort drifts wide... Trubin didn’t have it covered!
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:17 , Flo Clifford15 mins: Benfica break again with plenty of intent and Sudakov lets fly a low shot... just wide of the post. Worrying signs for Chelsea in the openness of their back line.
CHANCE! Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:13 , Flo Clifford11 mins: Not great from Chelsea. Neto floats in a lovely deep ball from the right flank, Garnacho chests it down into his path but his half-volley from 15 yards out or so drags well wide of the goal.
SAVE! Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:10 , Flo Clifford9 mins: Benfica threatening! They turn the ball over at speed, Lukebakio sends a low, sharply-angled strike whistling towards goal and off the post!
Sudakov’s resulting corner isn’t great, but Benfica recycle and they have a throw-in...
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:08 , Flo Clifford7 mins: Garnacho finds Cucurella on the left as Chelsea enjoy the majority of possession early doors... Barrenechea heads it clear and Benfica immediately counter.
Pavlidis is waiting yards out from goal for the tap-in but it’s a poor low cross from Sudakov, with Sanchez able to collect with ease.
CHANCE! Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:06 , Flo Clifford5 mins: Early chance for Chelsea! Garnacho cuts inside at speed, Enzo has to double back to run onto his through-ball and blasts it off target.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:04 , Miguel Delaney at Stamford BridgeThe Independent’s Miguel Delaney is at Stamford Bridge. He says:
Mourinho comes out of the tunnel performatively late at Stamford Bridge, but it's already too loud with Chelsea songs for him to get any individual reception.
Minutes later, Stamford Bridge sings his name, to which he quickly gives the humble wave.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:03 , Flo Clifford2 mins: Chelsea win a free-kick almost immediately as a red shirt leaves it late on Garnacho.
Enzo Fernandez is quickly brought to ground too by his former team.
KICK-OFF: Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:02 , Flo CliffordMaresca and Mourinho share a long embrace before we kick off. It’s a former Benfica player, Enzo Fernandez, who captains Chelsea.
Here we go!
Maresca focused on winning, not Mourinho
Tuesday 30 September 2025 19:56 , Flo CliffordEnzo Maresca tells TNT Sports: “It is very important to get a result, not only tonight but for sure after a defeat [to Bayern Munich in their group stage opener] if we are able to win the game it is very important.
“We did our job last season to be here and now hopefully we can do our part in this competition.”
On Mourinho’s return to Chelsea, he says: “Personally I'm just focused on the game to be honest. I'm not thinking about different things and the players are exactly the same. We are focused on tonight's game because in the end that is the most important thing.”
Players warming up
Tuesday 30 September 2025 19:53 , Flo CliffordJose looks in pretty fine spirits too.
Team news reminder
Tuesday 30 September 2025 19:50 , Flo CliffordChelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Badiashile, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Neto, Garnacho, Buonanotte, George.
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Merrick, Gittens, Joao Pedro, Hato, James, Acheampong, Guiu, Estevao, Lavia, Walsh.
Benfica XI: Trubin, Dedic, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl, Aursnes, Rios, Lukebakio, Sudakov, Barrenchea, Pavlidis.
Substitutes: Ferreira, Soares, Obrador, Ivanovic, Barreiro, Schjelderup, H Araujo, T Araujo, Oliveira, Veloso, Rego, Prioste.
'This is a period of happiness' - Mourinho on Maresca's Chelsea
Tuesday 30 September 2025 19:45 , Flo CliffordMourinho meanwhile gave his backing to Maresca. “There was a sad period where even myself from the outside, I was putting some question marks,” he said of the club’s recent history. “It looked like Chelsea lost their identity as a club. But what happened last season put things back on track.
“They gave trust to Enzo, he brought his ideas and he fitted well with the philosophy they want to give with the club.
“The Conference League is an easy competition to win for a big club, I did it with Roma. Then the Club World Cup, people can say the Champions League is much more important, but that badge (on the shirt) means a lot. It’s the first time a club wins it.
“That gives them a base of trust and confidence – even at the supporters’ level they feel it.
“I live five minutes from here, my son comes here. The feeling is completely different – there was a period of disappointment and doubt, but this is a period of happiness and trust.”
Enzo Maresca says it's a 'privilege' to face Jose Mourinho
Tuesday 30 September 2025 19:35 , Flo CliffordChelsea manager Enzo Maresca may be coming under some pressure at Stamford Bridge after some poor losses, and the return of one of the Blues’ most successful managers is unlikely to quell any disquiet.
But he said, “It’s a privilege to face Jose” ahead of this meeting, calling him “a legend for this club”.
“I feel already quite lucky to be in some pictures at the training ground with the Club World Cup and Conference League after one season. The target hopefully is one day we can all together enjoy these kinds of moments.”
A hero's welcome for Mourinho?
Tuesday 30 September 2025 19:25 , Flo CliffordIf your wardrobe is lacking a bit of Mourinho-themed pizzazz, the enterprising sellers of Stamford Bridge have you covered.
What happened in matchweek one?
Tuesday 30 September 2025 19:15 , Flo CliffordThe Blues were left kicking themselves in their competition opener, ruing defensive mistakes as Bayern Munich held firm to deal the world champions a defeat on their return to Europe’s top tier.
Enzo Maresca’s side have endured a patchy start to the season on the whole, most recently losing 3-1 to Brighton at home. They will be desperate to overcome the absence of Cole Palmer and produce a convincing display against Benfica, who they beat in a lightning-delayed Club World Cup clash on their way to becoming world champions.
Benfica, meanwhile, suffered one of the shocks of the opening week as they were beaten 3-2 at home to Azerbaijani side Qarabag. They’ll hope for better fortunes at Chelsea, praying for a bit of Mourinho magic at the ground he won three Premier League titles at.
Players arriving
Tuesday 30 September 2025 19:05 , Flo Clifford
Team news - Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:58 , Flo CliffordJust the one change for Benfica, who beat Gil Vicente in the Primeira Liga on Friday night.
Enzo Barrenchea replaces Andreas Schjelderup in midfield.
Team news - Chelsea
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:56 , Flo CliffordThe big news for Chelsea is Moises Caicedo is fit to start despite worries he might be injured.
Enzo Maresca makes five changes, with Malo Gusto, Benoît Badiashile, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Buonanotte and Tyrique George all coming into the side.
Joao Pedro, who had been a doubt for the game, is named on the bench.
Line-ups - Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:53 , Flo CliffordBenfica XI: Trubin, Dedic, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl, Aursnes, Rios, Lukebakio, Sudakov, Barrenchea, Pavlidis.
Substitutes: Ferreira, Soares, Obrador, Ivanovic, Barreiro, Schjelderup, H Araujo, T Araujo, Oliveira, Veloso, Rego, Prioste.
Line-ups - Chelsea
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:49 , Flo CliffordChelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Badiashile, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Neto, Garnacho, Buonanotte, George.
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Merrick, Gittens, Joao Pedro, Hato, James, Acheampong, Guiu, Estevao, Lavia, Walsh.
Come on Chelsea! 🔵#CFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/0KkJSDrf7D
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 30, 2025
Early team news - Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:45 , Flo CliffordBenfica, meanwhile, are missing Manu Silva, Alexander Bah and Bruma due to long-term injuries, while 19-year-old forward Gianluca Prestianni is currently away representing Argentina at the Under-20 World Cup in Chile.
Mourinho will look to star striker Vangelis Pavlidis for the goals against his former club, with the Greek scoring both goals in his side’s win over Gil Vicente at the weekend.
'The Special One' arrives
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:38 , Flo Clifford
Early team news - Chelsea
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:35 , Flo CliffordChelsea will be expected to rotate following their disappointing loss to Brighton three days ago.
Enzo Maresca revealed that Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos will all be assessed ahead of the clash after picking up “small problems”.
They could join Cole Palmer, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana on the sidelines for the game.
Predicted line-ups
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:25 , Flo CliffordChelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, Lavia; Estevao, Buonanotte, Gittens; Pedro.
Benfica XI: Trubin; Dedic, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Barrenechea, Rios; Lukebakio, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis
Enzo Maresca urges Chelsea to stop ‘giving away presents’ after Brighton defeat
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleIs there a bit of pressure starting to build on Enzo Maresca? Given he secured silverware, a top-four finish and success in the Club World Cup in his first campaign, one would not think so, but Chelsea are a strange football club. Regardless, there was plenty to concern Maresca in a weekend defeat to Brighton.
Enzo Maresca urges Chelsea to stop ‘giving away presents’ after Brighton defeat
Enzo Maresca: I’m looking forward to the ‘privilege’ of facing Jose Mourinho
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleEnzo Maresca, meanwhile, is very much looking forward to acquainting himself with the man who twice held his role - and the Chelsea manager knows what he needs to do to ensure he is remembered as fondly.
Enzo Maresca: I’m looking forward to the ‘privilege’ of facing Jose Mourinho
Shadow of Jose Mourinho glory days hangs over Enzo Maresca - and Mourinho himself - on Chelsea return
Tuesday 30 September 2025 17:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleYes, Jose Mourinho’s return will stir plenty of feelings at Stamford Bridge - Miguel Delaney was there yesterday to find him in familiar form.
Shadow of Mourinho glory days hangs over Maresca and Mourinho himself
How to watch
Tuesday 30 September 2025 17:47 , Flo CliffordChelsea take on Benfica at 8pm BST, at Stamford Bridge.
Viewers in the UK can watch the game live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with coverage beginning at 7pm BST. Subscribers can also watch the game on discovery+.
Jose Mourinho says he will ‘always be a blue’ ahead of return to Chelsea with Benfica
Tuesday 30 September 2025 17:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleJose Mourinho insisted he will “always be a blue” as he returned to Stamford Bridge ahead of Benfica’s Champions League meeting with Chelsea.
The three-time Premier League winner was appointed on September 18 by the Lisbon giants and will lead his new team out tonight for what will be his eighth match in the visiting dugout at the ground he once called home.
Jose Mourinho says he will ‘always be a blue’ ahead of return to Chelsea with Benfica
Chelsea vs Benfica live
Tuesday 30 September 2025 17:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleHe’s back...
Jose Mourinho returns to familiar territory as the former Chelsea manager takes his Benfica side to Stamford Bridge for a key early Champions League meeting. Fresh into a second stint at the Portuguese club, Mourinho will surely relish an opportunity to get one over his former employers - and perhaps pile a bit more pressure on the current occupier of the manager role in west London. Can Enzo Maresca turn around Chelsea’s recent poor form?
Kick off is at 8pm BST.
