Special One Sufferer! Mourinho’s Benfica Beaten 1-0 by resilient Chelsea
Chelsea walked away with a valuable European victory against Benfica, sealing a game defined by discipline, tactical sharpness, and decisive moments. Both sides fought hard, but the Blues’ ability to control midfield and capitalize on their chances separated them from a Benfica team that lacked clinical edge.
Match Summary :
- 18’ – Goal (own goal): Richard Rios inadvertently deflected Alejandro Garnacho’s low cross into his own net. (Chelsea 1-0 Benfica)
- 42’ – Badiashile heads over from a Neto free-kick.
- Early 2nd half– Benfica press: attempts on goal, but either offside or blocked.
- Late in the match, Benfica pushed for the equalizer, multiple corners, and a few dangerous crosses.
- 90+6’– Red card: João Pedro sent off for a second yellow (high boot).
- Full-time– Chelsea hold on to win 1-0.
Tactical Tussles:
Chelsea pressed in a compact 4-2-3-1, with Enzo Fernández dictating tempo and linking the attack. The wingers tried to exploit the wide areas and stretch Benfica’s backline with dangerous crosses coming into the box.
Benfica’s 4-3-3 tried to exploit Chelsea’s fullbacks with quick transitions, too. They looked to combine out wide and pull Chelsea’s defence wide, then play inside. In the 2nd half, Benfica were overloading the attack with more numbers, but substitutions in the second half, especially the introduction of fresh legs in attack, helped Chelsea sustain pressure and see the game out.
X- factors:
- Enzo Fernández (Chelsea): Controlled midfield tempo and broke up Benfica’s attacks.
- Garnacho (Chelsea): Intelligent movement between lines, constantly threatening Benfica’s backline.
- Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica): Led the defense with experience and composure under pressure.
Manager Reactions :
José Mourinho said, “Of course, I’m disappointed with the result, but football is about the present, not memories. Chelsea fans welcomed me warmly, and I respect that. My team created chances and controlled parts of the game, but we couldn’t convert them into goals.”
Enzo Maresca added, “It’s a relief to get the win after recent struggles. The players showed discipline and composure, especially defensively, though the red card late on wasn’t ideal. Overall, I’m happy we claimed our first group-stage victory.”
Stats and Numbers:
| Stat | Chelsea | Benfica |
| Possession | 57% | 43% |
| Shots | 8 | 9 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 3 |
| Corners | 3 | 5 |
Conclusion :
Chelsea’s 1–0 win gives them their first Champions League group-stage victory, boosting confidence and keeping qualification hopes alive. Benfica remain winless in the group, making their path to the knockout stages more difficult. Chelsea’s defensive resilience and game management could be key in upcoming fixtures, but questions remain. Can they convert dominance into more comfortable wins in upcoming fixtures?
