Jose Mourinho appointment is a PROBLEM for Chelsea, says Maresca

Enzo Maresca has admitted that it has been “difficult” to prepare for Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Benfica due to the recent appointment of Jose Mourinho.

The Blues host the Portuguese giants at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening aiming to end a mini-slump that has seen them lose three of their last four matches in all competitions.

Despite increasing pressure from supporters, Maresca still retains the full support of the Chelsea hierarchy, as per multiple reports, and the Blues aren’t expected to assess his position at the club until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

However, Maresca’s side face a crucial week in their season, with Benfica travelling to west London on Tuesday, before the Blues host Arne Slot’s Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Benfica, Maresca admitted that Mourinho’s appointment as Bruno Lage’s replacement in mid-September has caused him an unexpected headache.

What has Enzo Maresca said?

“It’s absolutely a privilege to face Jose tomorrow,” Maresca told reporters during his pre-match press conference. “He is a legend for this club – not only this club – but many different clubs so it will be a privilege to face Jose tomorrow.”

He added: “It is probably a little bit more difficult to prepare because they [Benfica] just played three or four games under Jose. And the games I watched before were under Bruno Lage. For sure, it will be a completely different game compared to the Club World Cup game.”

Chelsea ran out 4-1 winners over Benfica in the Club World Cup last-16 in June, thanks to goals from Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Benfica have picked up two wins and one draw since the appointment of Mourinho on 18 September, and the 62-year-old will be aiming to secure the Portuguese club’s first ever competitive victory against Chelsea on Tuesday evening.

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