Chelsea predicted XI vs Benfica as Enzo Maresca trusts 19-year-old with saving his job vs Jose Mourinho

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Chelsea go into their second Champions League group stage game knowing they must beat a familiar face to avoid further turmoil in Europe this season.

The Blues face Benfica in Jose Mourinho’s first Champions League in charge of the Portuguese side, and he will relish the chance at piling more misery on Enzo Maresca.

The mood is not good surrounding the manager right now, with some Chelsea fans calling for Maresca to be replaced already after just six games of the new season.

Defeat in their opening game against Bayern Munich sees the Blues needing to get a result against Benfica to make a statement in the group stages, and the boss will need to find solutions to the injury woes at the club.

The Chelsea Chronicle have predicted the XI that the Italian will name for the crucial match at Stamford Bridge, including a start for two teenage prospects.

Chelsea Predicted XI vs Benfica in huge Champions League clash

Robert Sanchez has endured an up and down start to the season, but will remain in the starting side for the visit of Benfica.

Two 90 minutes in the Premier League in a row will see Reece James drop to the bench, with Malo Gusto being named in the starting side.

Josh Acheampong will make his first start in the Champions League at centre-back, with him likely to be in the back two who line up against Liverpool on Saturday.

Benoit Badiashile will join him, with the two given a chance to form a partnership ahead of the visit of the champions to Stamford Bridge.

Marc Cucurella will start at left-back. After a strong campaign of goalscoring last season, he will be desperate to open his account in Europe for Chelsea.

Moises Caicedo will of course be in the starting side, and he will be hoping it is not his last outing for a prolonged period of time. Caicedo could face a ban following an altercation at the end of the loss to Brighton.

Enzo Fernandez was on the scoresheet again at the weekend, and will continue to bear a large amount of responsibility in the form of goalscoring again in the Champions League.

The right wing will be occupied by Pedro Neto, with him being given a chance again in his preferred position after starting on the opposite side against Brighton.

Playing behind the striker, Joao Pedro will get a rare outing where he is not leading the line, giving him the chance to influence play a lot more.

After again not featuring in the Premier League, Alejandro Garnacho will start for the first time in the Champions League for his new club.

Up front, Maresca will put faith in 19-year-old Tyrique George ahead of returning loanee Marc Guiu.