Will Robert Sanchez Miss Champions League Match?

Chelsea will play their first home match of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League campaign at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were beaten against Bayern in their first match, they lost 3-1 away at the Allianz Arena. They are unbeaten against Benfica in all competitions.

Will Robert Sanchez miss Champions League match against Benfica?

Robert Sanchez has been the man in goal for Chelsea this season. The Chelsea goalkeeper has conceded double-figure goals across all competitions. He had one of his worst games this season. He was handed a red card in the first 5 minutes of their game against Manchester United, which cost Chelsea the game. He faced intense criticism post-game for his decision-making. Even though he was shown a red card in the Premier League, he managed to start the game against Brighton because he was handed just one match ban, as the red card was not deemed violent conduct. He missed the match against Lincoln City as the rules allow for suspensions to be served in cup games. The former Brighton goalkeeper had a day to forget against his previous club; he conceded three goals in the match. Despite his recent poor performances, he is likely to start the game against Benfica and prove to his manager and fans that he still has the potential to be the man in goal for Chelsea across all competitions.

Trevoh Chalobah Red Card against Brighton

With Colwill out for the long term with an ACL injury, Chalobah has played in all six of Chelsea's Premier League games so far this term, he has even scored two goals. However, Chalobah was dismissed against Brighton after being judged to have denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity, the sending off carries a one-game suspension and it will be served in the next domestic game, which is against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. This suspension makes two red cards for The Blues in consecutive games in the Premier League. With Chalobah's suspension, Maresca is left with few options in defence, along with the injuries further up the pitch to the likes of Delap and Palmer.

After the game, Maresca said: “No, for sure you cannot continue to make mistakes, also because they are big mistakes in terms of game changes, the red card at Manchester United and the red card today. Then, we tried to adjust a little bit with Josh Acheampong coming on, and he was ill over the last week. “Josh, in that moment, our two central defenders were Josh and Hato, who both are for sure fantastic players, fantastic talents, but not so many games in the Premier League, so when you are with 10 players it's a moment that you have to manage the situation.”