Chelsea defeated for manager José Mourinho’s club Benfica in the second match of the League phase of the UEFA Champions League yesterday night, extending his winless managerial streak against his former side to eight games.
Benfica came into the game unbeaten, and with a strong start as Dodi Lukébakio’s low strike caused a stir from Robert Sánchez who push it onto the foot of the post. Chelsea responded, almost reading the deadlock when Pedro Neto sent a bouncing ball narrowly wide of the upright.
Relentless, Neto whipped a cross to the back of the post where Alejandro Garnacho directed the ball across goal and Richard Ríos inadvertently diverted it into his own net.
Now leading, Chelsea settled into the game and nearly doubled the lead before halftime as makeshift striker Tyrique George latched onto Cucurella’s ball but could not beat Anatolly Trubin.
Benfica started the second period as they did in the first half, pressurizing the host and found themselves in promising positions on multiple occasions. The blues, however, managed to keep the visitors at bay deep into the second half despite a triple change from Mourinho in a bid to salvage something from the game. Substitute Estêväo came close to scoring forcing a strong hand from Trubin a header at goal.
With a record of back-to-back red cards, Chelsea were once again reduced to 10 men as João Pedro was sent off with a second yellow.
Next Fixtures
The Portuguese side remain without a point so far in the competition and will turn their attention to the Liga Portugal where they will face FC Porto this weekend, returning to the road for the next Champions League game to face Newcastle on October 21.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will return to the Premier League to host Liverpool on Friday with Nottingham and Ajax on their list of games afterwards.
Watch highlights of the game below:
