Chelsea are preparing to host Benfica tomorrow at Stamford Bridge in their first home Champions League outing of the campaign.
The game marks the return of former Jose Mourinho. He coached Chelsea in two successful spells and remains a fan of the Blues.
However, the new Benfica manager will be plotting to take down his old club and inflict more misery on the Blues after their wretched start to the season.
The Portuguese tactician is wary of the threat posed by Chelsea. His compatriot, Pedro Neto, will be out for blood tomorrow, playing against a team from his nation.
Mourinho lauded Neto as ‘one of the best wingers in the world‘, and his players will have to keep an eye on him.
He proved influential towards the end of last season, especially as Chelsea won the FIFA Club World Cup, bagging nine goals and nine assists in 51 appearances.
Neto has not kicked on this season, like most of his Chelsea teammates, but is still a threat, and his work rate off the ball is pivotal for Enzo Maresca’s tactics.
Chelsea are desperate for three points after losing their Champions League opener to Bayern Munich and will throw everything at Benfica, setting up a fascinating clash.
Their most recent meeting with Benfica in the Club World Cup ended in victory. They will be hoping for a repeat of the result.
But Mourinho’s Benfica are on the rise. They have won two of their first three league games under the former Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss.
