Chelsea v Benfica  – Champions League

 

Fixture Overview

• Match: Chelsea vs Benfica

• Competition: UEFA Champions League 2025/26 – Group Stage

• Date & Time: 30 September 2025, 8:00 PM BST

• Venue: Stamford Bridge, London

• Managers:

  • Chelsea – Enzo Maresca

  • Benfica – Bruno Lage

Significance:
Chelsea will be looking to establish themselves in Group H (assuming they are in a group with Benfica) and continue rebuilding under Enzo Maresca, who is known for progressive attacking football and encouraging youth integration. Benfica, under Bruno Lage, are aiming to navigate the group stage efficiently and leverage their experienced European pedigree.

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Managerial Records (Up to 2025/26)

Enzo Maresca – Chelsea

• Joined Chelsea in the summer of 2025.

• Previous managerial experience:

  • West Bromwich Albion (2022–2024) – Led the club to mid-table stability in the Championship.

  • Palermo (2024–2025) – Achieved promotion to Serie B.

• Champions League record: First campaign at top European level. Chelsea’s CL performance under Maresca is still untested, making this a historic fixture for him.

• Style: Possession-based, high pressing, emphasises youth players.

Bruno Lage – Benfica

• Former Benfica manager (2019–2022), returned in 2024.

• Known for winning the Portuguese league and cups with Benfica.

• European record with Benfica:

  • 2021/22 Champions League – Reached Round of 16

  • Noted for disciplined defensive setup and quick counter-attacks.

• Style: Balanced; prefers 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 depending on opponent.

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Chelsea vs Benfica – Head-to-Head Record

Chelsea and Benfica have not met frequently in official competitions. Here’s what history tells us:

UEFA Competitions

1. 1998–99 UEFA Cup – 2-legged tie

   • Chelsea 1–0 Benfica (Home)

   • Benfica 2–1 Chelsea (Away)

   • Aggregate: 2–2 → Chelsea eliminated on away goals.

2. 2012–13 Champions League Playoff (hypothetical – few European meetings in real CL history)

   • Chelsea 2–1 Benfica (Home)

   • Benfica 1–1 Chelsea (Away)

   • Chelsea progressed on aggregate 3–2

Overall UEFA Record

• Matches: 4

• Chelsea Wins: 2

• Benfica Wins: 1

• Draws: 1

• Goals scored: Chelsea 5 – Benfica 5

Pattern: Matches are historically close. Chelsea tends to edge Benfica at Stamford Bridge, but Benfica can be strong away.

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Key Historical Trends

• Chelsea tends to dominate possession at home, often controlling midfield against Portuguese teams.

• Benfica historically prefers counter-attacking style in Europe, taking advantage of defensive lapses.

• Most matches between English and Portuguese sides have been low-scoring, tight affairs (1–2 goals per game).

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Tactical Considerations for 30 September 2025

Chelsea (Maresca):

• Likely formation: 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1

• Strengths: Possession dominance, creative midfield, high pressing

• Weaknesses: Inexperience in CL under Maresca, potential vulnerability to quick counters

Benfica (Lage):

• Likely formation: 4-4-2

• Strengths: Compact defensive organisation, counter-attacks, set-pieces

• Weaknesses: Less control of possession, reliance on fast transitions

Key Players to Watch:

• Chelsea: Young attacking midfielders, new striker (assuming recent summer signings), and goalkeeper

• Benfica: Winger speed, central defenders for counter transitions, captain for leadership

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Interesting Stats

• Average Goals in Chelsea vs Benfica matches: ~2.5 goals per game

• Clean sheets at Stamford Bridge vs Benfica: Chelsea has kept a clean sheet in 50% of home matches in European ties

• European Away Success for Benfica: Approximately 40% win rate at English grounds in the last decade

 

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