José Mourinho shall be again within the Stamford Bridge dugout on Tuesday, however this time on the opposing facet. Now teaching Benfica, the Portuguese tactician has issued a robust warning to Chelsea forward of their Champions League showdown.
Mourinho was the person who helped put Chelsea on the map each domestically and internationally, profitable three Premier League titles—together with the membership’s first—and reaching the Champions League semifinals thrice throughout his two stints. However sentiment must take a again seat now as he appears to be like to information Benfica to an important away victory.
Talking in his pre-match press convention, Mourinho mirrored on his Stamford Bridge return: “I’m feeling house. I already performed right here with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Inter Milan. I didn’t suppose the place I used to be or with who I used to be taking part in with. Like I say: I’m not a blue anymore. I’m pink now. And I wish to win.”
The 62-year-old additionally set the tone for the conflict, stressing the significance of bouncing again after Benfica’s 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich on Matchday 1. “I’m anticipating two groups eager to win. Chelsea will solely play for a victory, particularly after shedding the primary sport. We must defend effectively to win the sport. Our tactical method is to try to win the sport.
Supervisor Jose Mourinho of Chelsea lies on the pitch as Chelsea rejoice with the trophy throughout the Capital One Cup Closing match.
“We have now Chelsea, Actual Madrid and Newcastle on this group. All these video games are troublesome. So tomorrow we have to chase the factors. Our Champions League fixtures are more durable than Chelsea’s,” Mourinho added. Nonetheless, he admitted Chelsea will all the time be part of him: “Once I say I’m not a blue, I hope all people understands that I’m talking concerning the job I’ve to do tomorrow.”
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Mourinho’s return to Benfica got here after Bruno Lage was dismissed following a shock 3-2 Champions League loss to Qarabağ. Since taking cost, Mourinho has guided Benfica to 2 wins and a draw within the Portuguese league, however Tuesday’s conflict marks his largest check to date in cost.
Chelsea, Champions League contenders?
Chelsea entered the 2025-26 marketing campaign with lofty expectations after lifting the expanded FIFA Membership World Cup in July. However the early season hasn’t been as convincing: the Blues sit eighth within the Premier League with two wins, two attracts, and two defeats, struggling to indicate the dominance that fueled their summer season triumph.
Mourinho, nonetheless, stays satisfied Chelsea are contenders. Evaluating the Champions League to the Membership World Cup, the Portuguese supervisor was clear: “The Champions League is rather more troublesome to win than the Membership World Cup, in fact it’s. Chelsea have the potential to do it. I don’t see any purpose to say they’ll’t.”