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One-nil to Chelsea, a messy own-goal the difference, a defensive display solid enough to raise belief for tougher assignments to come. It was enough given the context, so much so that José Mourinho probably even appreciated the efficiency. He was back at Stamford Bridge to witness it all – a greyer figure these days, no longer the explosive touchline presence of old – and had little to offer beyond a few humble waves when the home fans sang their former manager’s name.
Chelsea avoid any stumbles on their trip down memory lane. The narrative about how Mourinho’s return would show how far his old club’s standards have dropped never materialised. There was no alchemy from the 62-year-old; no expert tactical plan to confound Enzo Maresca. Then again the Mourinho of 2025 is not in charge of one of the Champions League’s giants. Benfica were a tepid proposition and rarely looked capable of denying Chelsea a narrow victory. The only negative for the hosts was João Pedro seeing red in stoppage time for a second yellow card.
It was a poor game. Maresca will not care. He was under pressure and needed a positive result after opening the league phase with defeat to Bayern Munich last month. An injury-hit Chelsea, while not at their best, delivered. They will have to be better when Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The fuss around Mourinho was a reminder that time heals old wounds. He was once derided as a traitor, taunted when he visited with Manchester United and Tottenham, but this was a different kind of vibe. There was no spite at the start, only appreciation for the man who transformed Chelsea into a trophy machine after joining from Porto in 2004, and as the Mourinho love-in ramped up during the early stages it was hard not to wonder if Maresca will ever be feted in the same way.
Even last season’s success has not inspired much warmth. The mood has been tense, the memory of Club World Cup glory in danger of fading already. Maresca needed a response. He made five changes after Brighton handed Chelsea their second consecutive league defeat last Saturday. The starting XI, though, was raw. Injuries have stretched Chelsea, who count Cole Palmer as their most significant absentee, and it was unsurprising that they made a nervy start.
Benfica could have led after eight minutes, a Marc Cucurella error leading to Robert Sánchez pushing Dodi Lukébakio’s shot against a post. Chelsea were loose. Benfica were emboldened. Richard Ríos soon forced another save from Sánchez.
Sensing the anxiety, Maresca called for calm when Benoît Badiashile rushed a long pass out of play. Chelsea stirred. Pedro Neto, one of their more experienced players, took over. The winger went with a rasping effort and was involved when Chelsea went ahead.
It was the kind of goal a vintage Mourinho team never would have conceded. There was a deep cross from Neto from the right. Alejandro Garnacho ghosted in and when he cut the ball back from the left Ríos turned it into his own net under little pressure.
The frustration for Mourinho was that Chelsea had looked short of incision with Facundo Buonanotte starting at No 10 and Tyrique George up front with João Pedro rested. But this is by no means a great Benfica team. They are third in the Primeira Liga and there is doubt over whether Rui Costa will be re-elected president this month.
Nothing happened for a while. Anatoliy Trubin, Benfica’s goalkeeper, got quite bored and briefly thought about dribbling the ball into his own goal. There was a delay when Enzo Fernández, still not forgiven for the manner of his departure from Benfica, waited to take a corner in front of the away end and found himself pelted by objects. Mourinho, famously a man of peace, walked halfway down the touchline to tell them to stop.
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Benfica were bland, unrecognisable, Lukébakio the sole inspiration in attack. Chelsea could have extended their lead, only for Trubin to thwart George. It remained tight. Benfica had some moments at the start of the second half, Vangelis Pavlidis and Georgiy Sudakov finding dangerous positions, Fredrik Aursnes twice straying offside when better runs would have given the midfielder a chance of equalising.
Maresca saw the shift. He took the blame for making poor substitutions when Chelsea were down to 10 during defeats to Brighton and Manchester United. This time he was positive, Estêvão on for Buonanotte before the hour.
Chelsea still lacked thrust. Garnacho tried hard to make an impression on the left but ballooned one shot high and wide. He soon made way for Jamie Gittens. George was also replaced after a quiet evening, João Pedro on to provide more presence in attack.
Mourinho, meanwhile, waited for Benfica to rally. Trevoh Chalobah and Badiashile, making his first start since injuring himself against these opponents in the last 16 of the Club World Cup, were solid in central defence. For Maresca, of course, the worry is that Chalobah misses the Liverpool game through suspension. Badiashile’s return is timely but injuries have left Chelsea stretched at the back. Concerns over Badiashile’s partner against Liverpool linger. For now, though, Maresca will take the win and move on.
