Chelsea bounced back from their defeat against Bayern Munich with a 1-0 win over Benfica on Tuesday.
After losing 3-1 to Bayern on matchday 1 in the Champions League, Chelsea needed a victory against Jose Mourinho’s men. And they were able to secure one thanks to an own goal from Richard Rios.
It was Alejandro Garnacho’s cross that Rios turned into his own net to give the Blues the lead. Before that, Garnacho was heard screaming for the ball every time he was free on the left flank.
Rios started in midfield, playing in front of a defence that contained former Manchester City star Nicolas Otamendi, a player Ally McCoist was not happy with.
- READ MORE: Chelsea player ratings vs Benfica as Alejandro Garnacho helps ruin Jose Mourinho’s return
Ally McCoist not impressed with Nicolas Otamendi’s play-acting after Joao Pedro foul
Joao Pedro was sent off after picking up two yellow cards. However, there was one moment before that in the second half where the substitute fouled Otamendi without receiving a caution.
The central defender went down holding his face despite there being no contact there, which left McCoist far from impressed.
The Rangers legend, who was commentating on the game for TNT Sports (30/09/2025 at 21:34), said: “He’s not touching his face at all and he goes down holding his face, come on, look, that’s pathetic. Doesn’t touch his face or go anywhere near his face.”
Before the match, Enzo Maresca revealed that Pedro had a small problem, but the forward was fit enough to make the bench and come on in the second half.
He has arguably been Chelsea’s best attacker this season, producing five goal contributions in six Premier League appearances.
Chelsea have real discipline problem
Pedro is not the first Chelsea player to be sent off this season. The Blues also lost Trevoh Chalobah and Robert Sanchez to red cards in recent Premier League fixtures.
It is quite clear that, right now, Maresca has a real discipline problem on his hands.
Kairat Almaty versus Real Madrid was another fixture that was played in the Champions League on Tuesday, and it saw Chelsea signing Dastan Satpaev feature.
Before the game, Kairat defender Jose Carrillo spoke about Satpaev, claiming that he could become the next Lamine Yamal.
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