Player Ratings: Pedro Neto Shines as Chelsea Beat Benfica in Jose Mourinho’s Return

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·30 September 2025

Player Ratings: Pedro Neto Shines as Chelsea Beat Benfica in Jose Mourinho’s Return

Chelsea Edge Benfica in Mourinho’s Stamford Bridge Return

Chelsea secured a narrow but significant 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League, a result that saw Jose Mourinho’s highly anticipated return to Stamford Bridge end in frustration. The victory came courtesy of an unfortunate own goal from Richard Rios midway through the first half, following an incisive attack down Chelsea’s right.

Match Storyline and Key Moments

The decisive moment arrived when Pedro Neto’s curling delivery from the right was met by Alejandro Garnacho at the far post. Garnacho’s effort was fired across the six-yard box, but in trying to clear under pressure, Rios inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

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Despite Chelsea’s lead, the game was far from straightforward for Enzo Maresca’s side. Benfica showed plenty of ambition, enjoying good spells of possession and launching several threatening attacks in the second half. Both goalkeepers were called into action, though neither side could find the clinical touch after the early breakthrough.

Chelsea’s defensive unit, marshalled by Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile, held firm against a Benfica side determined to mark their return to Europe’s elite competition with a positive result.

Photo: IMAGO

Tactical Observations

Maresca’s Chelsea looked comfortable on the ball in the first period, maintaining 56 per cent possession and using width effectively through Neto and Garnacho. Benfica responded by pressing higher after the interval, with Enzo Barrenechea impressing in midfield and Nicolas Otamendi bringing leadership and resolve at the back.

For all their endeavour, Benfica’s attacking trio struggled to find a decisive final pass. Mourinho’s decision to introduce Franjo Ivanovic injected urgency late on, but the Blues’ back line remained disciplined.

This was a disciplined display from Chelsea, who mixed control with resilience in their first European home fixture under Maresca.

Chelsea Player Ratings

GK: Djordje Petrovic – 6
RB: Malo Gusto – 6
CB: Trevoh Chalobah – 7
CB: Benoit Badiashile – 7
LB: Marc Cucurella – 7
RM: Facundo Buonanotte – 6
CM: Moises Caicedo – 7
LM: Enzo Fernandez – 6
RW: Pedro Neto – 8 (Player of the Match)
CF: Tyrique George – 6
LW: Alejandro Garnacho – 7
SUB: Estevao – 6
SUB: Jamie Gittens – 6
SUB: Joao Pedro – 4
SUB: Joshua Acheampong – 6
SUB: Reece James – 6
Manager: Enzo Maresca – 7

Benfica Player Ratings

GK: Anatoliy Trubin – 6
RB: Amar Dedic – 7
CB: Antonio Silva – 7
CB: Nicolas Otamendi – 7
LB: Samuel Dahl – 6
RM: Richard Rios – 5
CM: Enzo Barrenechea – 7
LM: Fredrik Aursnes – 7
RW: Dodi Lukebakio – 6
CF: Vangelis Pavlidis – 7
LW: Heorhiy Sudakov – 6
SUB: Tomas Araujo – 6
SUB: Leandro Barreiro – 6
SUB: Franjo Ivanovic – 7
SUB: Andreas Schjelderup – 6
Manager: Jose Mourinho – 6

Final Thoughts

Chelsea’s narrow win highlighted both their progress under Maresca and their need to be more clinical in front of goal. Benfica’s spirited display, despite the disappointment of Rios’s own goal, suggested that Mourinho’s team will be competitive in the group stage.

This result keeps Chelsea in control of their Champions League campaign, while Benfica must regroup quickly as they aim to bounce back in their next fixture.