Chelsea vs Benfica preview: Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge for epic UCL showdown

Chelsea legend, Jose Mourinho will be at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday for his first UEFA Champions League match with Benfica as they face Chelsea, Softfootball reports.

Mourinho replaced Bruno Lage who was in charge when the Portuguese club suffered a shock 3-2 home loss against Qarabag in their opening Champions League match of the season. In that game the Eagles blew a 2-0 lead in catastrophic fashion. That led to Lage’s sack and Mourinho came on board.

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Jose Mourinho (Photo Credit: Benfica media)

Chelsea also lost their opening game in the Champions League but unlike Benfica, there was away from home as the Blues suffered a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich with former Tottenham Hotspur striker, Harry Kane scoring a brace.

Chelsea are already looking forward to the match against Benfica with on post on its official X handle.

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Turning our attention back to the #UCL. pic.twitter.com/xonmRrVEOh
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 28, 2025

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Trevor Chalobah saw red against Brighton at the weekend but eligible to face Benfica as the sending-off does not impact his availability in the Champions League. Facundo Buonanotte is also available after missing the match against Brighton as they were his parent club and can’t play against them.

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Chelsea are still missing Cole Palmer due to a groin injury, Levi Colwill (knee), Liam Delap (thigh), Dario Essugo (thigh), Tosin Adarabioyo (calf) and Wesley Fofana (head), while Mykhaylo Mudryk’s doping suspension is no closer to ending.

Enzo Barrenechea missed Benfica’s win over Gil Vicente at the weekend through suspension but available for this time against Chelsea.

Vangelis Pavlidis scored a brace in the aforementioned game and comes into the match against Chelsea on a very good form. However, Manu Silva and Alexander Bah are both fitness concerns and are doubtful for this encounter.

Chelsea probable XI: