The Champions League continues to serve up drama on and off the pitch as three English sides — Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham — prepare for crucial group-stage ties on a night that also sees Jose Mourinho return to Stamford Bridge with Benfica.
For Liverpool, the trip to Istanbul to face Galatasaray comes under the shadow of a hostile atmosphere, with the Türk Telekom Arena infamously dubbed “hell” for visiting teams. Jürgen Klopp’s side are looking to recover from an inconsistent start to the European campaign, but the team news brought surprises: both Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak were named on the bench. Klopp is expected to rely on the depth of his squad, but questions remain about whether leaving his biggest attacking threats out of the starting line-up is a calculated risk or a gamble.
Chelsea, meanwhile, face Mourinho’s Benfica at Stamford Bridge in what feels like both a football match and a story of football’s cyclical nature. Mourinho, who famously labeled himself “The Special One” on his first arrival at Chelsea in 2004, returns to west London 18 years after his initial spell ended. For many Blues supporters, the Portuguese coach remains an icon, remembered for his swagger and the winning mentality he injected into the club. For others, memories of his tempestuous second stint and later confrontations dampen the nostalgia.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca finds himself under pressure after a difficult September that has yielded just one win from five games. Back-to-back Premier League defeats leave the Blues sitting in mid-table, and their Champions League opener, a 3-1 defeat at Bayern Munich, only added to the frustration. To compound the situation, Maresca must do without Cole Palmer and all four of his preferred centre-backs.
Still, the Italian coach struck a defiant tone before the clash, writing in his programme notes that he “looks forward to coming to work with these players every day” and insisting the squad is improving. In his pre-match comments to TNT Sports, Maresca stressed the importance of bouncing back: “It is very important to get a result, not only tonight but for sure after a defeat [v Bayern].”
The build-up to Mourinho’s return has somewhat overshadowed Chelsea’s problems, but the Portuguese manager’s aura has not faded. Former Blues forward Salomon Kalou described Mourinho as “a mentor, someone who was willing to help you and fight for you.” Mourinho’s close friend Jose Peseiro went further, declaring: “He wants to go and beat Chelsea to show everyone ‘I am here’.” That mindset encapsulates Mourinho’s competitive edge and hints at the determination with which he approaches his latest challenge in Europe.
Tottenham complete the trio of English teams in action, facing Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt. Spurs are familiar with the artificial turf in Norway, but Ange Postecoglou will expect nothing less than a professional performance from his squad. With group-stage progression in mind, dropping points would be costly, and Tottenham’s travelling supporters will demand the kind of energy and resilience that has defined Postecoglou’s tenure so far.
Elsewhere in Europe, Real Madrid sent a clear message of intent with a 5-0 demolition of Kazakhstan’s Kairat, thanks in no small part to a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman continues to underline his status as one of the game’s most decisive players, and Carlo Ancelotti’s side appear intent on securing yet another deep run in the competition.
As the spotlight falls on Istanbul, London, and Norway tonight, the Champions League narrative intertwines individual storylines with broader ambitions. Will Liverpool’s rotated line-up silence Galatasaray’s fiery support? Can Chelsea’s youthful side overcome both injuries and the weight of Mourinho’s return? And will Tottenham take care of business to strengthen their group position?
By the end of the evening, supporters will have their answers, but the stage is already set for a night where the old, the new, and the unpredictable collide in Europe’s greatest club competition.
