Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge | OneFootball

According to the "rules of wisdom," we should never "return to where we were once happy," but life sometimes takes turns, and we find ourselves back in that place where we lived so much and achieved so much!

To counterbalance this maxim, we must not forget that Mourinho also returned to Benfica, although he hadn't been happy there. Let's hope he finds happiness in this second stint with the Eagles.

This is a special week for José Mourinho, who, in just a few days, visits two of the places where he shone the most, where he left a legion of fans, and where he left a legacy of results that placed him at the top of world football!

An Emotionally Charged Week for Mourinho

Mourinho, returning to Benfica, heads to Chelsea's ground where he became known as the Special One and where he won almost everything there was to win (except for European glory) on Tuesday, September 30th.

A few days later, the Setúbal-born coach will travel to the Dragão to face Porto, where he was immortalized over two seasons with domestic titles and, above all, with international victories in the UEFA Cup and the Champions League.

Regarding this Tuesday night, it will be very special for Chelsea and Mourinho. It's been more than four and a half years since Mourinho last faced the Blues (a 0-1 defeat with Tottenham on February 4, 2021), and it will be the first time in almost five years that Mourinho visits Stamford Bridge (a 0-0 draw on November 29, 2020).

While with the Blues, José Mourinho won the Premier League three times, the FA Cup once, as well as one English Super Cup and three English League Cups.

Mourinho Also Returns to the Champions League

But let's focus on the London game, another return for Mourinho to Stamford Bridge, this time in a Champions League match, a competition Mourinho hasn't participated in in recent seasons, which ultimately led to Bruno Lage's departure and Mourinho's return to Benfica.

Immediately, the Benfica team is anything but the favorite for this duel with the Blues, as can be determined from betting houses like Betclic, with odds around 1.60 for the English and 4.70 for the Eagles. The Benfica fan who wants to risk a bet on the victory of the Eagles can take advantage of Betclic's risk-free bonus to safeguard their funds.

What to Expect from This Game with Chelsea?

But let's get to the game next Tuesday: facing each other will be two teams that were in the Club World Cup. Chelsea, in particular, was the big winner of the competition and, above all, the team that eliminated Benfica from the competition, in the overtime of the round of 16, after a 1-1 draw in regular time (4-1 for Chelsea in overtime).

But there is more in common between both teams, especially this September, as they are far from pleasing their fans. To the point that Benfica has already changed its coach (even after winning the Portuguese Super Cup and the first games of the Portuguese league) and there are already some murmurs about Maresca's future in London. This is because Chelsea, in the last five games, only won in the English League Cup against Lincoln, from the third division (League One).

Both teams lost in their Champions League debut, and while Chelsea had an "expected" defeat in Munich against Bayern, Benfica suffered an unexpected defeat, with a comeback from 2-0 to 2-3, against Qarabag. That game was the last straw for Benfica's management, leading to Mourinho's return to Luz.

On the Eagles' side, it is hoped that Benfica can take advantage of Chelsea's less positive moment and that José Mourinho's impact will be felt. Not forgetting the experience and competence of the Portuguese coach in big games, which once took him to the top of world football. The reception at Stamford Bridge for its former glory might also play in his favor. After all, Mourinho will also be playing at home.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.