Champions League Matchday Brings High-Stakes Clashes as Benfica Turns to Mourinho

Posted : 17 September 2025

The UEFA Champions League resumes tonight with six thrilling matches on the schedule, offering fans another evening of elite European football. Olympiakos face Cypriot side Pafos in a rare clash between Greek and Cypriot teams in the competition’s history. Olympiakos, who have struggled in recent Champions League campaigns, will be aiming to bounce back, while Pafos make their debut at this level after featuring in the Conference League last season. Ayoub El Kaabi and Mehdi Taremi are expected to be key figures for the Greek side.

In Prague, Slavia will take on Norwegian outfit Bodø/Glimt. The Czech club enter the tie without a win in their last seven European fixtures, while Bodø/Glimt arrive fresh from a Europa League semifinal appearance last season. Kasper Høgh, last season’s joint-top Europa League scorer, will look to make his mark again.

Elsewhere, Ajax host Inter Milan in a classic European duel. Inter, unbeaten in 12 Champions League meetings against Dutch clubs, arrive with a strong defensive record despite struggles at the end of last season. Ajax, led by new coach Johnny Heitinga, will be seeking to overturn a poor record against Italian opposition.

The heavyweight clash of the evening sees Bayern Munich take on Chelsea. Bayern have dominated recent meetings between the two, including a convincing aggregate win in 2020. Chelsea return to the Champions League after a two-year absence and will look to young talents such as Cole Palmer and Estêvão to make an impression against Manuel Neuer’s experience at the Allianz Arena.

Liverpool also face a stern test at Anfield against Atlético Madrid. The Reds topped last season’s league phase and remain strong contenders, while Atlético rely on the influence of Antoine Griezmann and the leadership of Diego Simeone. Mohamed Salah, chasing more Champions League milestones, will again be in the spotlight for Liverpool.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain begin their title defense against Atalanta. The French side are buoyed by their dominant 5-0 win over Inter in last season’s final, while Atalanta will seek to build on their impressive goal-scoring form from the group stage. Players like Achraf Hakimi and Charles De Ketelaere are expected to play pivotal roles.

Away from the pitch, Benfica are preparing for a major managerial change. Following a shock 3-2 defeat to Qarabag in the group stage, the club announced the departure of Bruno Lage. Reports in Portugal suggest José Mourinho is set to return to the club where he began his managerial career. Mourinho, who most recently managed Fenerbahce, would be rejoining Benfica 25 years after his first spell, bringing Champions League-winning pedigree to a side in urgent need of revival.

Champions League Matchday Brings High-Stakes Clashes as Benfica Turns to Mourinho

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