Overview

• Enzo Maresca said it feels powerful to bring Chelsea back to Europe’s top competition after three years and noted this is his first Champions League match as a head coach following assistant roles at Sevilla and Manchester City.
• Chelsea’s buildup included a 3-1 home defeat to Brighton in which Trevoh Chalobah was sent off early in the second half and late goals overturned an Enzo Fernández opener.
• Maresca highlighted discipline as a decisive factor, saying five defeats in the last six months included four that followed a red card.
• The head coach reported several injuries in the squad and said three additional issues emerged after the Brighton match that require assessment.
• José Mourinho, now leading Benfica, welcomed his Champions League return and described his Stamford Bridge ties as enduring while stating his focus is on beating Chelsea.