On October 24, 2024, Chelsea faced Panathinaikos in the UEFA Conference League at the Athens Olympic Stadium. The match concluded with a 4-1 victory for Chelsea, marking their second consecutive win.
Chelsea’s Starting Lineup
Head coach Enzo Maresca made significant changes to the squad following their Premier League match against Liverpool. Filip Jorgensen started in goal with a defensive line featuring Marc Cucurella, Axel Disasi, Benoît Badiashile, and Renato Veiga. In midfield, captain Enzo Fernández partnered with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The attacking trio comprised Pedro Neto, João Félix, and Mykhailo Mudryk, supporting forward Christopher Nkunku.
Panathinaikos’ Starting Lineup
Under the guidance of head coach Diego Alonso, Panathinaikos fielded Bartłomiej Drągowski as the goalkeeper. The defense included Giannis Kotsiras, Bart Schenkeveld, Tin Jedvaj, and Filip Mladenović. The midfield comprised Adam Gnezda Čerin, Nemanja Maksimović, Daniel Mancini, and Azzedine Ounahi, with Facundo Pellistri and Alexander Jeremejeff leading the attack.
Match Highlights
Chelsea scored in the 22nd minute with a goal from João Félix. Mykhailo Mudryk extended the lead early in the second half, followed by Félix’s second goal. Christopher Nkunku added a fourth goal via penalty. Panathinaikos’ Facundo Pellistri scored a consolation goal in the 69th minute.
Tactical Approaches
Chelsea’s lineup demonstrated Maresca’s strategy to rotate the squad while maintaining attacking prowess. Including players like Neto and Mudryk provided width and pace, while the midfield duo of Fernández and Dewsbury-Hall ensured control and distribution. Panathinaikos aimed to leverage home advantage with a balanced formation but struggled to contain Chelsea’s dynamic offense.
Substitutions and Their Impact
Chelsea utilized substitutions to manage player workload and maintain intensity. Carney Chukwuemeka replaced Dewsbury-Hall, adding fresh energy to the midfield. Panathinaikos made changes, including introducing Andraž Šporar, but these adjustments had limited impact on altering the match’s outcome.
Post-Match Reflections
The victory propelled Chelsea to the Conference League phase table, reflecting their strong start in European competition. Maresca’s rotation policy appears effective, keeping the squad fresh across multiple competitions. Despite the loss, Panathinaikos showed moments of resilience and will look to build on these in future matches.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea’s focus will return to domestic competitions, aiming to carry forward the momentum from their European success. Panathinaikos will analyze this performance to make necessary adjustments as they continue their campaign in the Greek Super League and European fixtures.
