UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Season

[Alex077]

Benfica should be able to understand Jose Mourinho if in the end they were defeated by Chelsea because after all he had just been appointed as a coach and certainly needed time to manage the team to be better and directly facing ...

Not only Benfica, many out there are yet to come to this realisation and so they do throw tantrums at Mourinho because they expect some kind of magic from him at once forgetting he can only do within a certain capacity at a time, he has not spent upto a season and yet the expectations be so high that even against top European teams, they just make some unrealistic expectations, the current for of Chelsea is such that even with the time, Mourinho may not be able to still meet up because they have a continued improvement progression.

I agree with what you’re saying... Benfica fans and the board really need to be more patient. Mourinho is a top-level coach with massive experience, but even he can’t rebuild a squad and take it to the highest level in just a few weeks or months.
Chelsea, as it stands, is nothing like the team he managed previously - new style, new players, and most importantly, steady progress.
Give him a season and a proper transfer window - only then it makes sense to evaluate what Mourinho can really do. Right now, the attacks on him are more emotional than logical.

[Adbitco]

He'll be taking over as a new manager for Benfica, but as you said, it's not right to expect him to suddenly wield a special magic wand. He'll get to know the players as much as he can and put the best players on the pitch. I believe he did his best in the Turkish league last year. Furthermore, Fenerbahçe's 18-year-old Yusuf Akçiçek's career took off thanks to him. Mourinho is a successful coach, providing young players with the opportunity to introduce them to the world.

I agree with you, Mourinho is indeed a great coach who his statistics and achievements has placed him in a high esteem. Although, with the current state of teams and new tactics in the game, I'm not expecting much from him anymore, he has done his part in football and has nothing to prove again. I still remember those good old days that if you're a manager and you're against a Mourinho team, especially that his Chelsea and Inter Milan team before 2010, you must pass through hell before you get to beat him.

[m4r1o]

Actually, it’s not too different because the new UCL format requires more time and more matches. We just need to adapt to it. I think FIFA's goal is also business-oriented; the more matches there are, the more money they make. Indeed, at the moment I'm not as fanatic as before, I just often check the match results in the morning. So, I don't feel too tired in the morning because I have work obligations.

I have never accepted this thing, I like watching football but I understand that when there are so many matches they do it only for business, for goodness sake the players have to play but then when they play too much they risk injuries to the detriment of important competitions and I don't like this.

[knowngunman]

I think Chelsea still have to start showing who they really are, it's just a matter of time, they have a great team with some good players, they could do really well, there needs to be support for the team from the fans and the team will improve even more

This current Chelsea team is highly overrated thou. Since the pretty performance they had in the middle of last season (they actually fumble towards the end last season) and winning the club world cup again this year makes them appear to be a serious team but they are actually not better than the likes of Manchester United. Their stat this season so far is not impressive even against the so called average team. They simply can not score and can not even play an entertaining game to cheer the fans to give them maximum support. Sorry to say but they don't have anything to show and with time they can go low beyond the current position in the table if care is not taken. Maresca is doing a bad job at that club but we focus more on Amorin that we are not seeing that.

[Pandorak]

I think Chelsea still have to start showing who they really are, it's just a matter of time, they have a great team with some good players, they could do really well, there needs to be support for the team from the fans and the team will improve even more

It must be acknowledged that Chelsea has a promising squad with a combination of talented young players and experienced names, making them very capable of competing with other big clubs. However, this is no easy task. Chelsea needs to perform more consistently, evaluate and address their weaknesses, and find a more effective playing rhythm, especially after the crushing 3-1 defeat against Bayern, this was undoubtedly a harsh blow and a poor start. Opportunities still abound, as you mentioned, Chelsea must rise to the occasion and demonstrate their true capabilities. 

[Dunamisx]

Chelsea were indeed in their aura moments because they finished the premier league competition in the top four..

I think Chelsea still have to start showing who they really are, it's just a matter of time, they have a great team with some good players, they could do really well, there needs to be support for the team from the fans and the team will improve even more

Chelsea is never a small team, and of course they have always been trying their best to stand out among others, but still yet, there is need for more plans for them to remained at the top of their games, they already have enough players like of Pedro Neto, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Estevao Willian, Kendry Paez and many more, all they have to do is in working together for them to be able to achieve a coordinated match play against their opponents.

[banana33]

Benfica is not a small team to some extent that Chelsea will get to..

Chelsea are doing well, there are certainly some things to improve as in all teams but let's say that they are behaving very well and are playing excellent games, their performance is very good, of course challenging Bayern Munich is never easy and it has been seen

[Volgastallion]

The big advantage Chelsea can have against any other team is the HUGE ammount of players they have in the squad no other team has so many players, they have around 60 players, so they have a lot of teams to put on the pitch for the diferent tournaments they have to play, for example national cups or easy game league, so they can preserve his A+ team for champions league.

[YUriy1991]

The big advantage Chelsea can have against any other team is the HUGE ammount of players they have in the squad no other team has so many players, they have around 60 players, so they have a lot of teams to put on the pitch for the diferent tournaments they have to play, for example national cups or easy game league, so they can preserve his A+ team for champions league.

The number of 60 Chelsea players only burdens the club's finances, a lot of money that club management has to spend to pay salaries and player bonuses, imagine if the large amount of money is used to recruit only 20 star players with a combination of several senior players for training before the match, for me the A+ team you mean is not very effective if enough minutes to play will actually have an impact on the player in the national team, if the national team coach of the player's country uses the standard of playing at the club to be able to play in the national team.

[bastisisca]

Chelsea will use this match to achieve three points from Benfica to increase their points in the UEFA champion league table, we know what happened to Chelsea last match, is the result of poor performance Chelsea display that makes Bayner Munich to embraced the opportunity to defeated Chelsea, but watching what Benfica is playing in this season, I think Chelsea have hope on this match, if their coach will not make the same mistakes he made in their last match to remove many of their wingers from the match just because of early red card, Benfica don't have squads that will stop Chelsea players not to win this match, but there will be goal goal in this match but Chelsea will definitely achieve victory at the end.

He has hope because Benfica still has to find its dimension, but be careful, having among its ranks a long-time fox like Mourinho, not everything is said.
There is a risk that the special one will play a trick on Chelsea, who have not shone particularly brightly after the victory against PSG.

[slapper]

Definitely Chelsea are likely to win against Benfica, for a fact Chelsea are really dominant at home meanwhile due to records Benfica can’t defeat Chelsea but, sometimes things do change including a good improvement. If the match ends draw or a defeat against Chelsea then we know Chelsea can’t stand a chance at the champions league race, personally I doubt my prediction for some certain reason no team can be trusted yet Chelsea starting the season smoothly even against Bayern I gave the team an accolade for scoring 1 goal obviously we all know Bayern is not a weak team.

Chelsea as lost there last game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and they won't try to lose against Benfica, Chelsea will be the favorite of winning the match because I don't think Benfica are in really in there best form this season. Benfica can just give Chelsea tough time but Chelsea will get the winning game. Let see how next week ucl will be all the team that lost there first will do all there best to win the next game to achieve three point and get hope in the Champions League. Bayern Munich will be top team in the ucl this season to win the title but he won't be easy, but if they continue performing more better then will definitely achieve there goal this time around since they fail last season this tim is and opportunities to them to win it, let see how the competition will goes and see who will be the favorite after the group stages is over.

I cannot say, yet, that Chelsea is a "safe favorite". Yeah, Benfica are messy. At home, Qarabag was humiliated, they lost 2–0 lead and fired their coach. However, the coming of Mourinho into the equation might shift thing. He plays off low-block formations against possession sides. Chelsea with Maresca are all about that 3 -2-5, dominate the ball, inverted fullback stuff but without a fit #9, you can soon turn it into sterile domination. They gave up four goals in the past four games, no Liam Delap, perhaps none of Palmer. Benfica could be below its best, but the fact that Pavlidis misses sitters and Aursnes misses finishers will also be a signal to a tight, ugly game

Bookies have Chelsea ~65% to win, but the Under 2.5 sitting at 2.30 odds is where the value is. I may well see this 1-0 or maybe 1-1 should Mourinho have his block on

[Ale88]

I think that Chelsea fooled many people thanks to their winning in the Conference League and Club World Cup: don't get me wrong, they are a good team, but they won a competition where, since the very beginning, they were the clear favorites because the team was just too superior to the others; then they played a great final against PSG and that is probably where they went above and beyond their possibilities, so many fans thought they were at the same level as the biggest European teams, and they are not.

We should give credits to the Blues because it's never been an easy run to accomplish such outstanding performance and results. Chelsea are world club Champions whether you like it or not. The Blues won major trophies recently and they're enlisted to be eligible Champions. For the records, they lost to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League first round, it doesn't mean a team that welcome defeats against fellow opposition, portray any sign of weakness? Enzo Maresca working tireless to ensure his side is build up and and ready for main competition this season.

Frankly I couldn't care less about Chelsea winning the Club World Cup, I mean, good for them, but that doesn't mean they are at the same level of Real Madrid, Liverpool, City, PSG, etc etc. Winning a competition once could happen to everybody, you have to be consistent. Based on your logic Chelsea should win the Premier League this year, do you think it's going to happen? Because I don't.

[Lidger]

Chelsea are a good team and they definitely have the potential to do well in the English Premier League as well as in various European league tournaments. If the top four or five teams are selected for the Champions League, then Chelsea must be included because Chelsea currently has such a team and they have been performing like that recently. Maybe they lost against Manchester United in the last English Premier League match, but that is not a big deal. Sometimes it is seen that a very big team loses against a weak opponent. Chelsea should forget about the performance they performed against Manchester United and plan well for the upcoming matches, especially the Champions League matches.

Truly Chelsea should get passed the Manchester United incident already and makes sure to get to focusing on building strength for other games they have got ahead, because beyond that game Is others that will bee needed for them to get themselves something good this season, that games was not a determinant to anything so it can always be reconsidered, I am looking at them aiming at the top four position on the premier league table, even though I do not really know if they are going to get there but it is expected of them actually.

If Chelsea are disappointed with the result against Manchester United and if they perform poorly in the next match, they will show an amateur team. Considering the result against Manchester United as an undesirable result, Chelsea will have to plan well for the upcoming matches so that they do not have to regret any future matches like this. Manchester United performed better than Chelsea on the field that day, that is why Manchester United won. Chelsea will have to plan so that Manchester United cannot win any other match against Chelsea in the future. If Chelsea does not make these plans and stops repeatedly at a previous result, their chances of doing well in the future will decrease.

[Frankolala]

Chelsea were indeed in their aura moments because they finished the premier league competition in the top four..

I think Chelsea still have to start showing who they really are, it's just a matter of time, they have a great team with some good players, they could do really well, there needs to be support for the team from the fans and the team will improve even more

I don't know what's the problem with Chelsea that is making them to be inconsistent in their matches when they have good set of quality players in the club. Maresca needs to try something new because this is the best time for Chelsea to prove that they can win the title. They have spent a lot buying players and if these players cannot bring home the trophy, it will be a big disappointment.

[Velvet78]

I cannot say, yet, that Chelsea is a "safe favorite". Yeah, Benfica are messy. At home, Qarabag was humiliated, they lost 2–0 lead and fired their coach. However, the coming of Mourinho into the equation might shift thing. He plays off low-block formations against possession sides. Chelsea with Maresca are all about that 3 -2-5, dominate the ball, inverted fullback stuff but without a fit #9, you can soon turn it into sterile domination. They gave up four goals in the past four games, no Liam Delap, perhaps none of Palmer. Benfica could be below its best, but the fact that Pavlidis misses sitters and Aursnes misses finishers will also be a signal to a tight, ugly game

Bookies have Chelsea ~65% to win, but the Under 2.5 sitting at 2.30 odds is where the value is. I may well see this 1-0 or maybe 1-1 should Mourinho have his block on

I give Chelsea a high chance to win honestly. They are seriously outweighing Benfica especially at Stamford Bridge.    Palmer isn't in healthy condition maybe but I don't think this will be a big obstacle. They can still win by a good team play.

Yeah, Benfica has brought Mourinho as their new manager. The players reacted positively in his first game. They played nice in the Rio Ave one too but unluckily lost 2 points despite the domination.

While they are trying to adapt his game they could have more difficulties against a serious opponent like Chelsea...

[Agbe]

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If Chelsea are disappointed with the result against Manchester United and if they perform poorly in the next match, they will show an amateur team. Considering the result against Manchester United as an undesirable result, Chelsea will have to plan well for the upcoming matches so that they do not have to regret any future matches like this. Manchester United performed better than Chelsea on the field that day, that is why Manchester United won. Chelsea will have to plan so that Manchester United cannot win any other match against Chelsea in the future. If Chelsea does not make these plans and stops repeatedly at a previous result, their chances of doing well in the future will decrease.

I don't think that, Chelsea will have a bad result in the coming two games . Because Chelsea will not like to have a back to back loses in a row, again Chelsea lost their opening game in the champions League so Chelsea will like to get a win in the champions League in their second game.

[Jatiluhung]

I don't think that, Chelsea will have a bad result in the coming two games . Because Chelsea will not like to have a back to back loses in a row, again Chelsea lost their opening game in the champions League so Chelsea will like to get a win in the champions League in their second game.

Of course, Chelsea doesn't want another defeat in the Champions League after their first-leg defeat against Bayern Munich. And winning against Benfica shouldn't be a major problem for Chelsea. The most important thing is for Chelsea's young players to be more confident so they can perform to their full potential.

Benfica, Chelsea's opponents, are also in inconsistent form. They also suffered a defeat in their first UCL match. Moreover, Benfica's defeat was against a team that wasn't favored. This also shows that Benfica isn't in good form this season. So, this is an opportunity for Chelsea to win their next match. However, if Chelsea loses, then Chelsea really can't be relied upon anymore.

[Alpha Marine]

Anyone expecting Benfica to win against Chelsea is not being serious. If Mourinho wasn't appointed as Benfica manager of recent would they have expected Benfica to win against Chelsea at Stamford bridge? That aside, Chelsea have just lost to Bayern Munich which is a stronger team than them presently. But Chelsea are stronger than Benfica so they are to win Benfica with or without Jose Mourinho.

Why would you even say that? Did you just start watching football today? Or have you never seen a smaller team beat the bigger team? It's not like Chelsea is one very good team; they struggle with smaller teams in the league, too, so what makes you feel Chelsea can't lose to Benfica?
This is not even about Mourinho taking over Benfica; they've not been better under Mourinho. Benfica is not a small team, and we all know how the Champions League is. Teams don't come here to respect anybody; they're all looking for the win.
Chelsea is obviously the favorite, but Benfica has a chance to win that game.

[$weetne$$]

I don't know what's the problem with Chelsea that is making them to be inconsistent in their matches when they have good set of quality players in the club. Maresca needs to try something new because this is the best time for Chelsea to prove that they can win the title. They have spent a lot buying players and if these players cannot bring home the trophy, it will be a big disappointment.

Probably they are just trying to juggle between all the leagues they have to participate in unlike last season they were participating in fewer leagues than this season so it could be affecting their mind because I agree with you that they have quality when looking at their players and they also have a good depth too so it is only normal to expect  that they will be awesome with their performance and having little to no excuses but actually they are only doing  their very best and may likely get better.

[Jaycoinz]

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If Chelsea are disappointed with the result against Manchester United and if they perform poorly in the next match, they will show an amateur team. Considering the result against Manchester United as an undesirable result, Chelsea will have to plan well for the upcoming matches so that they do not have to regret any future matches like this. Manchester United performed better than Chelsea on the field that day, that is why Manchester United won. Chelsea will have to plan so that Manchester United cannot win any other match against Chelsea in the future. If Chelsea does not make these plans and stops repeatedly at a previous result, their chances of doing well in the future will decrease.

I don't think that, Chelsea will have a bad result in the coming two games . Because Chelsea will not like to have a back to back loses in a row, again Chelsea lost their opening game in the champions League so Chelsea will like to get a win in the champions League in their second game.

Chelsea also need that win so they will definitely play with all their might to make sure they get back to winning ways because they have being flopping and there is alot of pressure too on the coach of Chelsea.  They will be at home which is an advantage to them too and all these advantage for sure points to them winning the trophy. One thing again is that football is full of surprises so surprises can still be awaiting in the game.