Chelsea gear up for Mourinho's return as Benfica boss

VIDEO SHOWS: CHELSEA TRAINING AHEAD OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH AT HOME TO BENFICA SHOWS: COBHAM, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 29, 2025) (UEFA – See restrictions) 1. CHELSEA PLAYERS WALKING OUT FOR TRAINING 2. MIDFIELDER, ENZO FERNANDEZ, AND WINGER, PEDRO NETO, DOING KEEPIE-UPS 3. HEAD COACH, ENZO MARESCA WALKING OUT 4. VARIOUS OF NETO, DEFENDER, BENOIT BADIASHILE, MIDFIELDERS, MOISES CAICEDO, AND, FACUNDO BUONANOTTE, AND, FORWARD, JOAO PEDRO, STRETCHING WHILE HOLDING FOOTBALLS 5. MARESCA WALKING, CLUB CAPTAIN, REECE JAMES, STRETCHING 6. PLAYERS PASSING IN PAIRS 7. DEFENDER, MARC CUCURELLA, PASSING 8. WINGER, ALEJANDRO GARNACHO, PASSING 9. GOALKEEPER, ROBERT SANCHEZ, PASSING 10. CAICEDO WARMING UP STORY: Chelsea will welcome Jose Mourinho back to Stamford Bridge when they face Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday (September 30), with the Portuguese coach returning to the London club where he won three Premier League titles across two spells.     Mourinho, who returned to Benfica 25 years after his first stint, managed Chelsea from 2004–2007 and 2013–2015, delivering a haul of trophies that cemented his reputation as one of Europe's best managers at the time.      Mourinho, appointed at Benfica on September 18, inherited a team unbeaten in their opening four league games with three wins and a draw and has overseen two wins and a draw in his first three matches in charge.     Chelsea, however, have had a turbulent start to the season after a glittering campaign last term when they won the Conference League and Club World Cup. They are also without playmaker Cole Palmer, who is sidelined with a groin injury.     Maresca's side, who like Benfica lost their Champions League opener, have two wins from six Premier League matches, losing their last two after being reduced to 10 men.  (Production: Conal Quinn)

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