Chelsea vs Benfica Champions League Preview
Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge for his or her first residence Champions League fixture of the marketing campaign, with Benfica and a well-known determine ready for them. The build-up has been dominated by Jose Mourinho, again on the Bridge accountable for the Portuguese giants, as he makes an attempt to upset his previous membership.
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Mourinho consider highlight
It’s unimaginable to separate this fixture from the presence of Mourinho. Benfica turned to their former participant and supervisor after Bruno Lage’s sacking, with the brand new appointment instantly rekindling previous storylines. Mourinho has already made headlines by criticising Chelsea’s strategy, calling their spending “loopy” and claiming the membership had “misplaced course” lately.
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For Chelsea, the return of a legend within the opposing dugout solely provides intrigue to what’s already an important evening. Their Champions League return started with a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, a sobering reminder of the step up in high quality at this stage. After consecutive home losses to Manchester United and Brighton, Enzo Maresca is beneath stress to revive momentum.
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Staff information shaping the competition
Accidents proceed to outline Chelsea’s season. Cole Palmer stays sidelined with a groin drawback that has hampered him since August. On the again, the disaster has deepened. Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo have been unavailable in opposition to Brighton attributable to concussion and a calf challenge, forcing 19-year-old Jorrel Hato to deputise alongside Trevoh Chalobah, who was later despatched off.
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Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Levi Colwill stay long-term absentees, although there’s constructive information with Facundo Buonanotte returning after being ineligible on the weekend.
Benfica have their very own setbacks. Winger Bruma is nursing an Achilles drawback, whereas Manu Silva and Alexander Bah are recovering from critical knee accidents. Nonetheless, their squad carries threats able to testing Chelsea’s depleted defence.
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Stakes at Stamford Bridge
For Maresca, this match carries additional weight. Defeat in opposition to Bayern could be excused, however dropping factors at residence to Benfica would go away Chelsea in a precarious place. Their document on this fixture provides encouragement: 4 wins out of 4 in opposition to Benfica, with no attracts or defeats.
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The main focus will fall on how Chelsea reply to setbacks. Maresca has referred to as for persistence and belief in his course of, but outcomes stay the last word measure. The chance to beat Mourinho, and the motivation of three factors in Europe, might present the spark his younger facet wants.
Prediction and outlook
Benfica’s hazard lies of their capacity to counter a Chelsea facet stretched by absences. Nonetheless, even with out Palmer and a settled again line, the Premier League membership ought to have sufficient high quality. The expectation at Stamford Bridge is victory, and the historical past between these sides factors in the identical course.
Chelsea to win, 2-1.
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