Chelsea will host Benfica at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, for Matchday 2 of the Champions League. What makes the tie extra special is the return of José Mourinho—now in charge of Benfica—to the ground where he carved out some of his greatest triumphs.
Mourinho is no stranger to Stamford Bridge: across two spells (2004–2007 and 2013–2015), he led Chelsea to multiple Premier League titles and domestic cups. His visit this time is laden with narrative as many fans, pundits and the current Chelsea staff reflect on his legacy with pride and rivalry.
Mourinho Returns to Stamford Bridge
Chelsea’s current manager, Enzo Maresca, has publicly acknowledged Mourinho’s status as a club legend. Ahead of the game he described the “privilege” of facing him, while also stressing that his own focus lies on carving out his identity and results for Chelsea.
However, Chelsea approach the match under a cloud of recent struggles. The club has dropped points in the Premier League in successive matches and has shown signs of inconsistency, especially when down to ten men. A further complication: key attacker Cole Palmer is ruled out through a groin injury, while other players such as Moisés Caicedo, João Pedro, and Andrey Santos are doubtful.
From Benfica’s side, morale is high. The Portuguese club is currently unbeaten in their domestic league under Mourinho’s guidance, and the manager himself has expressed belief in Benfica’s ability to punch above their weight, especially in European competition.
Mourinho Returns to Stamford Bridge
Match Details & Kick-Off Time
- Date: Tuesday, 30 September 2025
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST (London time)
- Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
In the local time zone (Ghana, GMT), that corresponds to 19:00 local kickoff.
Head-to-Head & History
Despite Mourinho’s deep ties to Chelsea, Benfica have never beaten Chelsea in a competitive match. In prior encounters, Chelsea have come out on top. One notable recent meeting was in the 2025 Club World Cup, in which Chelsea defeated Benfica 4–1 after extra time.
Chelsea have often held the psychological edge in these matchups, but this fixture could be more emotionally charged than ever.
What to Watch
- Tactical chess match: Maresca may try to match Mourinho’s pragmatism and defensive solidity, but Chelsea’s attacking options will be tested without Palmer.
- Benfica’s compactness: Mourinho is likely to ask his side to stay well organized and hit on transitions or set pieces.
- Home pressure & momentum: Stamford Bridge is a demanding stadium; Chelsea will be expected to dominate possession and territory early on.
- Fitness & squad depth: Injuries could force changes; bench strength may prove decisive late in the match.
Other UCL Fixtures This Week (Matchday 2)
Matchday 2 spans 30 September – 1 October 2025 under the new 36-team Champions League format. Below are some of the key fixtures:
Tuesday, 30 September
- Atalanta vs Club Brugge
- Kairat Almaty vs Real Madrid
- Atlético Madrid vs Eintracht Frankfurt
- Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Galatasaray vs Liverpool
- Chelsea vs Benfica
Wednesday, October 1, 2025:
- Union Saint-Gilloise vs Newcastle United (18:45 CET)
- Qarabağ vs Copenhagen (18:45 CET)
- Arsenal vs Olympiacos
- Leverkusen vs PSV
- Villarreal vs Juventus
- Napoli vs Sporting CP
- Monaco vs Manchester City
- Borussia Dortmund vs Athletic Club
- Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain