This latest outcome leaves Mourinho still seeking his first victory over Chelsea as a manager since 2010, extending his winless streak to eight matches (D3, L5) against the team he once led to Premier League success. Paradoxically, it was his old club that marred his homecoming, as Enzo Maresca’s team showed resilience and composure to achieve their first European win of the season.
Softfootball anticipated a tight contest in the match preview, predicting a 1-all draw, but Chelsea secured the victory early with a goal that came from a scrappy first half. After Benfica started strong—with Dodi Lukébakio testing Robert Sánchez before hitting the post—Chelsea found their rhythm. Pedro Neto, always energetic, fired just wide before sending in a cross that created confusion in the box. Under pressure, Richard Ríos inadvertently deflected Alejandro Garnacho’s shot into his own net.
The Blues nearly doubled their lead before halftime when Tyrique George, starting in a forward role, almost converted a precise cross from Marc Cucurella but was thwarted by Anatoliy Trubin. Cucurella’s exceptional performance earned him the Man of the Match title, and Chelsea shared a photo of the defender celebrating with his award on their official X account.
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Benfica attempted to regroup after the break, with Fredrik Aursnes getting into promising positions but being caught offside twice. Mourinho opted for a bold change with a triple substitution, yet Chelsea maintained their defensive structure, frustrating the guests and almost scoring again when Estêvão forced a superb save from Trubin.
In a dramatic finale, João Pedro received a second yellow card in stoppage time, marking Chelsea’s third red card in as many games, but Maresca’s squad managed to hold on for the win.
This defeat will sting for Mourinho, as his last triumph at Stamford Bridge was the celebrated 2010 victory with Inter Milan, and even upon returning, this iconic venue remains unwelcoming.
