Mourinho knocks on Chelsea's memory door

His appearance will surely stir the "green" stands. Half of the audience will look at him with affection, as if welcoming a son who has gone far away back. The other half will be more stern, because Chelsea today needs victory, not nostalgia.

Waiting for Mourinho to prove his position

Mourinho returned to England and fate coincidentally let the "special one" face the very team that made his reputation (Chelsea will face Benfica at 2am on October 1 in the 2025-2026 Champions League qualifying round). Mourinho still kept his straightforward habit, did not hesitate to share about Chelsea in the pre-match press conference and admitted his joy when Benfica did not have to face "killer" Cole Palmer who was on injury leave.

Chelsea was a "winning machine" under Abramovich, where Mourinho, then Ancelotti, Conte and Tuchel continuously reaped titles. Crazy investments, a patchwork squad and a lack of a clear philosophy caused Chelsea to face countless difficulties for a long time.

Mourinho gõ cửa ký ức Chelsea - Ảnh 1. — Mourinho (left) and Maresca - past and present confrontation at Stamford Bridge (Photo: UEFA)

Mourinho also praised Enzo Maresca, who is currently in charge of Chelsea: "Maresca came in and step by step, the puzzle was completed. The Conference League is also a great title to lay the foundation for a winning philosophy and Chelsea returned from the US last summer with the Club World Cup title, becoming a cohesive and oriented group."

At the age of 62, Mourinho chose Benfica as his destination after the troubles in Türkiye. A favorable start with 2 wins and 1 draw in the Portuguese National Championship helped the "special one" quickly regain inspiration, but the Champions League is where he needs to assert himself, because from here he became a legend when he brought Porto to the throne in 2004.

New chapter for Chelsea?

Benfica, despite being unbeaten in the domestic league, suffered a shocking defeat at home to Qarabag in their opening match of the Champions League group stage. This shock caused the board to quickly choose Mourinho - a coach with plenty of experience in the Premier League and currently unemployed. The Portuguese team has Vangelis Pavlidis - a Greek striker who scored against Qarabag and is performing impressively with 5 goals and 2 assists in less than 600 minutes of play. The defense is led by Nicolas Otamendi while Dodi Lukebakio is the highlight in midfield.

Chelsea, meanwhile, entered the game in an unstable form: just one win in their last five games, and that was only a comeback against Lincoln City in the League Cup. The absence of Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer added to Maresca's headache. Enzo Maresca was only in his second season with Chelsea, but the pressure was many times greater. In his first year, Maresca was praised for his modern style of play, emphasizing ball control and development from the back. Chelsea showed signs of improvement, enough for the board to be patient.

Chelsea's history also shows that Italian managers often shine when they first arrive and then sink the following season. Roberto Di Matteo led Chelsea to the Champions League in 2012 but lost his job just a few months later. Maurizio Sarri won the Europa League but also left London soon after because his football philosophy was not accepted. Antonio Conte even won the Premier League in his first season but also had to leave in a storm.

The common denominator: Initial success, then crisis and a quick farewell. Maresca understood this well and the match against Benfica became an important milestone. Facing him was not only a Portuguese team with a rich tradition, but also the giant shadow of Mourinho - a conqueror who had turned Chelsea from a "challenger" into a leading force in English football.

Mourinho has been through hundreds of big battles, experienced both glory and bitterness. With Benfica, he wants to prove that he is not old. The Stamford Bridge night is an opportunity for Mourinho to remind everyone that his pragmatic football is still enough to cause trouble for any opponent.

Maresca, on the other hand, a victory over Mourinho would be the strongest declaration: his Chelsea is no longer living in the haunting past, but is ready to open a new chapter after two victories in the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup. If they fail, the pressure will come not only from the media but also from the board of directors, who are known for being harsh and impatient.

In the stands, fans are waiting for a special battle of wits. Mourinho, despite being away from Chelsea for many years, still brings his typical style: disciplined defense, sharp counter-attacks, knowing how to exploit the opponent's weaknesses. Maresca, on the other hand, puts his faith in a controlling style of play, proactive possession, and high pressing. It is a confrontation between Chelsea's past and present, between the philosophy that brought glory and the philosophy that is being tested.