Champions League Matchday 2 kicks off!

Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge, Barcelona vs PSG clash hit by injuries

The Champions League’s second round delivers two heavyweight clashes this week. On Tuesday, Benfica travel to Chelsea in a match that marks Jose Mourinho’s long-awaited return to Stamford Bridge. A day later, Barcelona host trophy holders PSG in the headline fixture, with both clubs battling injury crises.

Mourinho, who won three Premier League titles in two spells at Chelsea, remains a cult figure in west London. Current Blues boss Enzo Maresca called him “a legend of this club,” while winger Pedro Neto said he felt “proud as a Portuguese” to face a Mourinho side. Since taking over Benfica on September 18, the Portuguese coach has two wins and a draw from his first three games.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have struggled. After lifting the Club World Cup in the summer, they sit only eighth in the Premier League with two wins from six, losing 1–3 to Brighton at the weekend. Injuries, especially to playmaker Cole Palmer, have hurt them badly. Both Chelsea and Benfica lost their opening group matches, against Bayern and Qarabag respectively. History also favors the Blues: they’ve beaten Benfica in all three official meetings, including the 2013 Europa League final.

Wednesday’s clash in Barcelona pits two giants against each other but with depleted squads. The Catalans are top of La Liga after Marcus Rashford’s double sank Newcastle in Europe and Real Sociedad domestically, and young star Lamine Yamal is back from injury. Yet Hansi Flick remains without Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, Joan Garcia, and Gavi.

Luis Enrique’s problems are even greater. PSG will be without Doue, Neves, Dembele, and Marquinhos, while Kvaratskhelia and Vitinha are doubts.

DoctorsBonus perdiction:

Barcelona – PSG; Both teams to score and over 2,5 goals – 1.96

Chelsea – Benfica; Home team to win the match – 1.61