Football legend Jose Mourinho made an emotional return to Stamford Bridge on Monday as his Benfica squad prepares to face Chelsea in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash. The Portuguese coach, who led Chelsea to three Premier League titles and an FA Cup between 2004-2007 and 2013-2015, reaffirmed his lasting connection to the London club during a pre-match press conference.
"Of course I will always be a blue," Mourinho told reporters. "I'm part of their history and they are part of my history. I helped them to become a bigger Chelsea and they helped me to become a bigger Jose."
Now in charge of Benfica since September, Mourinho emphasized his professional commitment to the Portuguese giants while acknowledging the significance of Tuesday's match: "Benfica is a huge responsibility… You know how I am. I just love it. Let's go tomorrow."
The fixture revives a European rivalry that saw Chelsea eliminate Benfica in the 2011-12 Champions League quarterfinals. Mourinho's current squad remains unbeaten in three matches under his leadership, recording two wins and a draw.
Tuesday's match marks Mourinho's first competitive return to Stamford Bridge since departing Chelsea in 2015, offering football enthusiasts a compelling narrative of legacy versus new ambition in European football's premier club competition.
