Mourinho returns: Chelsea face Champions League test against a legend | OneFootball

Chelsea’s Champions League campaign is already under strain, and Tuesday’s visit of Benfica to Stamford Bridge feels like a game they cannot afford to get wrong.

A defeat to Bayern Munich in the opening round of matches has left Enzo Maresca’s side playing catch-up in the league phase.

A 3-1 home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend continued a worrying run of form. Chelsea have now lost three of their last four games and look fragile both mentally and structurally.

That is why this fixture against Benfica carries so much weight. A second straight European defeat would place qualification in real jeopardy.

For a club that prides itself on competing at the top level, that is unacceptable.

Maresca acknowledged as much when he said: “We make sure or we try at least to prepare every game to win the game and hopefully we can do that tomorrow.”

Jose Mourinho’s return adds to the intrigue. The Benfica manager is a Chelsea legend, and his presence will inevitably stir nostalgia. Yet sentiment cannot cloud Chelsea’s judgment.

Mourinho’s tactical acumen and experience make this a dangerous evening for the hosts. Maresca was diplomatic in his press conference, calling it a ‘privilege# to face Mourinho.

“It’s probably a little bit more difficult,” Maresca added. “I watched some games where Jose was Man Utd or Spurs or Roma in Italy. For sure, it will be a completely different game.”

Chelsea fans may sing Mourinho’s name on Tuesday, but Maresca knows what he really needs is a victory. “Probably continue to win trophies,” he said when asked how to earn such affection.

Winning this game is not about romance or legacy. It is about survival in Europe and halting a slide that is threatening to derail their season.