Chelsea face an old friend in UEFA Champions League action on September 30 as Jose Mourinho's Benfica head to at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho made the call this month to return to the club where he began his coaching career following his tense departure from Fenerbahce.
The veteran boss is unbeaten in three league games since landing back in Lisbon, but this is his first taste of a UCL clash at the helm of his new team. His predecessor, Bruno Lage, lost his job after a 3-2 home defeat to Qarabag on matchday one.
In a twist befitting the headline-grabbing coach, the 62-year-old has already featured in the UCL in 2025/26. His Fenerbahce team were knocked out by Benfica in the playoffs before he eventually took the top job back at Estadio da Luz.
Enzo Maresca's Blues kicked off their European campaign with a 3-1 loss at Bayern Munich and Chelsea are winless in their past three Premier League games.
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Chelsea vs. Benfica lineups: Starting XI, team news, injury latest
Chelsea have a lengthy injury list to contend with right now including Cole Palmer, Liam Delap and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Facundo Buonanotte, who was initially left off the Chelsea Champions League roster, starts at the No. 10 after being added to the squad in the wake of Dario Essugo's injury. He will support Tyrique George up front as Joao Pedro is rested with a spot on the bench. Alejandro Garnacho is chosen on the left wing over fellow new signing Jamie Gittens.
Trevoh Chalobah's weekend red card only applies to domestic games, so he is available, and France international Benoit Badiashile returns as his centre-back partner.
Chelsea starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — Gusto, Badiashile, Chalobah, Cucurella — E. Fernandez, Caicedo — Neto, Buonanotte, Garnacho — George.
Injured: Colwill (ACL), Delap (thigh), Palmer (groin), Tosin (calf), Fofana (head), Essugo (thigh)
Suspended: Mudryk (doping)
Mourinho has not made major changes to Lage's template at Benfica so far and he is set to stick with a largely unchanged team from the 2-1 weekend win over Gil Vicente.
Dodi Lukebakio retains his place in the attack, with Georgiy Sudakov and Fredrik Aursnes the other forwards in support of Vangelis Pavlidis up front.
Manu Silva and Alexander Bah both out due to long-term knee injuries.
Benfica starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Trubin (GK) — Dedic, A. Silva, Otamendi, Dahl — Rios, Barrenechea — Lukebakio, Aursnes, Sudakov — Pavlidis.
Injured: Silva (ACL), Bah (ACL), Bruma (calf)
Suspended: None
Chelsea vs. Benfica match details
- Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
- Kickoff time: 8 p.m. local / 12:30 a.m. IST (October 1)
- Location: Stamford Bridge, London (UK)
- Competition: UEFA Champions League league phase matchday two
- Referee: Daniel Siebert (GER)
- VAR: Christian Dingert (GER)