Overview
- Newly appointed Benfica manager José Mourinho arrives with two wins and a draw from his first three matches in charge.
- Chelsea have lost three of their past four games, including their Champions League opener to Bayern Munich, with Maresca stressing the impact of recent sendings-off.
- Playmaker Cole Palmer is ruled out of the next three matches with a groin issue, a development Mourinho acknowledged while insisting Chelsea still have ample quality.
- Moisés Caicedo, João Pedro and Andrey Santos face late fitness assessments after picking up knocks in the Brighton defeat.
- Maresca called facing Mourinho a privilege, played down pressure on his position, and said his squad remains confident despite the current dip.