Chelsea collected their first win of the Champions League league part as they beat former supervisor Jose Mourinho’s Benfica 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Richard Rios’ personal aim after 18 minutes was the distinction within the first assembly between the groups because the weather-disrupted Membership World Cup quarter-final in June, which the Blues received 4-1 after extra-time.
It was the fifteenth time Mourinho has confronted Chelsea in his managerial profession and his first return to south-west London since November 2020. He has now received simply 4 of these 15.
The Portuguese made a quiet return. There was no huge entrance from the tunnel earlier than kick-off; he simply took his seat, then blew a kiss to the Chelsea followers after they sung his title for the primary time.
His aspect have been industrious within the opening quarter-hour, and got here shut when Dodi Lukebakio’s shot from a decent angle struck the close to publish and needed to be scrambled behind by Robert Sanchez. However, earlier than lengthy, they discovered themselves behind.
Pedro Neto’s cross was stored alive on the again publish by Alejandro Garnacho, who slid the ball throughout the field. Rios was not the meant goal, however the ball discovered him as he charged again, and he crashed his tried clearance excessive into his personal web.
With out inflicting any harm, Benfica have been capable of carve sufficient openings to begin the ringing of alarm bells initially of the second half. That they had a half-hearted penalty attraction turned down, too, when Lukebakio and Enzo Fernandez tangled on the sting of the field.
Benfica have been denied a penalty after a tangle between Dodi Lukebakio and Enzo Fernandez
In response, Enzo Maresca despatched on Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro to battle hearth with hearth. The trio did little to ignite the spark they have been launched to supply, although.
In truth, the latter of the three was despatched off within the dying seconds; proven a second yellow for a excessive boot. It was the third time a Blues participant has been proven a crimson within the final 4 video games in all competitions. However, by then, the job was accomplished.
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Sky Sports activities’ Lewis Jones:
“This was far from a classic but Maresca will not care. Chelsea are up and running in the Champions League but they need to improve in terms of their functionality.
“There is a lack of steadiness on this workforce for the time being. Saying that, they most likely have the very best defensive midfielder in world soccer in Caicedo.
“He won the most duels of any player on the pitch (10), made the most tackles (8) and created the joint-most chances (2). He was a monster in that area, yet again.”
No disciplinary issues, insists Maresca, regardless of third crimson in 4 video games
Joao Pedro turned the third Chelsea participant despatched off within the final 4 video games
Chelsea‘s Enzo Maresca talking at his post-match press convention:
“I always like to see one-vs-one.
“The Newcastle and Flamengo crimson playing cards have been for unhealthy actions, then [Robert] Sanchez [vs Man Utd] isn’t for a foul motion, it is simply because he needs to defend the aim, [Trevoh] Chalobah [vs Brighton] is as a result of he needs to defend the aim.
“Tonight, for the second yellow card, I don’t think Joao [Pedro] even touched the other player, but the dynamic of the action is a dangerous one.
“For me personally, it is not any concern or problem, it is only a second most likely you could take a special choice and keep away from. Generally it is higher to concede the aim or the prospect as a result of then it is 11-v-11.”
Jose: Chelsea belong in my history and I belong to theirs
Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge for the primary time since November 2020
Jose Mourinho talking at his press convention:
“I don’t treat myself with these memories. I treat myself with victories and results.
“After all, I thank them [the Chelsea fans], I did it on the pitch. After all, I used to be targeted on the sport, however you might have at all times somewhat little bit of the sounds and naturally I thanked them. When I’m in London, I meet them daily on the streets, I do know that it will be a relationship ceaselessly.
“Hopefully, I come back here in 20 years with my grandkids. Chelsea belong to my history and I belong to their history.”
On attempting to take advantage of a possible Chelsea weak point: “I saw (Malo) Gusto in difficulty, but then Maresca can change for a better player than Gusto in (Reece) James. And this is Chelsea’s squad that allows them to do that.”
