The UEFA Champions League returns this week with another batch of intriguing matchups. For Real Madrid and Chelsea, this is a special moment as both teams aim to bounce back after recent disappointments and prepare for their high-profile Tuesday matches.
Upcoming Matches:
- Champions League fixtures will take place on Tuesday, September 30, including Kairat vs. Real Madrid (12:45 p.m. U.S./Eastern) and Chelsea vs. Benfica (3 p.m. U.S./Eastern).
Real Madrid: The Longest Away Trip
Real Madrid, the fifteen-time Champions League winners, are set to make history on Tuesday as they travel to Almaty, Kazakhstan, to face local champions Kairat. This will be one of the longest away trips in the tournament`s history, and likely one of its most lopsided fixtures.
This encounter presents a stark contrast: Real Madrid will play their 503rd Champions League match, while for Kairat, it will be only their second. The Kazakh team`s squad value is less than half of Kylian Mbappé`s annual salary. Los Blancos are clear favorites, even despite the hours-long journey. This match offers an excellent opportunity to recover after a surprising 5-2 loss to Atletico Madrid.
Xabi Alonso`s young team suffered its biggest setback of the season in Saturday`s defeat, with rivals capitalizing on their inexperience. Alonso emphasized that his current Real Madrid is a work in progress and that setbacks are inevitable. He stated, “It was a deserved defeat, and very painful for us, for the fans too, and we feel responsible. But it could be a positive, as for sure we will learn from it. We`re in a process of building something, and setbacks will happen. It is about how we react, how we learn from what happened, and how we improve.”
Kairat is not expected to pose the same kind of challenge on Tuesday, which will give Alonso flexibility in his tactical approach, though he will bring almost all of his stars. It appears Alonso will respond to this adversity with a full-throttle approach, aiming for a second win in the Champions League.
Jose Mourinho Returns to Stamford Bridge
Chelsea is also going through a difficult period, with only three wins in eight matches across all competitions this season. Against the backdrop of Jose Mourinho`s return to Stamford Bridge with Benfica, Enzo Maresca`s team`s imperfections will be particularly noticeable. Mourinho, who returned to Benfica almost 25 years after his first managerial appointment there, is known for his three Premier League titles with Chelsea.
Maresca, as expected, fielded questions about Mourinho`s legacy before the game, careful to avoid unnecessary comparisons. “It`s a privilege to face Jose. A legend for this club. I feel already quite lucky to be in some pictures at the training ground with the Club World Cup and Conference League after one season. The target hopefully is one day we can all together enjoy these kinds of moments. … I would like it one day for sure [for fans to sing my name] but it`s not my target. I`m happy if they can sing `we`ve got our Chelsea back,` because that means as a team we are doing something important,” Maresca said.
Ahead of Tuesday`s clash with Benfica, who were shocked by a defeat to Azerbaijani side Qarabag on Matchday 1, Maresca has more pressing matters. Chelsea hasn`t truly clicked since their Club World Cup triumph almost three months ago and has suffered three losses in their last four matches. Two of these defeats were marred by red cards. The attack, on which millions have been spent, doesn`t seem to be working, as indicated by a low non-penalty expected goals tally. Cole Palmer`s absence due to a groin injury only exacerbates the situation.
While Chelsea might benefit from facing a Benfica side that conceded three goals to Qarabag just two weeks ago, Maresca must focus on getting his team selection right, especially considering Mourinho`s defense-minded approach.
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