Match report: Panathinaikos 1- 4 Chelsea

With four goals scored and three points earned, the Blues have climbed to the top of the Conference League group standings. It was undoubtedly a strong performance from Enzo Maresca's team in Athens.

On matchday two of our European journey, we faced off against Panathinaikos. Once Joao Felix scored and put us in the lead halfway through the first half, it became clear that the Blues were firmly in control of the game at the Olympic Stadium. They never seemed at risk of losing.

This was clearly evident as we scored three goals in a rapid-fire ten minutes during the second half, assuring our win. Mykhailo Mudryk increased our lead with a header from close range, Felix added his second goal with a shot that took a deflection from outside the penalty area, and Christopher Nkunku calmly converted another penalty.

The home team managed to score a consolation goal with 21 minutes remaining, as Facundo Pellistri found the net from a short distance. However, it was merely a small inconvenience, and the Chelsea fans left the stadium in high spirits, looking forward to their trip back to London.

Before the events kicked off at the Olympic Stadium, there was a heartfelt homage to George Baldock, the Panathinaikos athlete who tragically lost his life earlier this month.

Before the match, fans created an impressive display throughout the stadium. In a demonstration of solidarity, the Blues' starting lineup united to pay tribute to Baldock by presenting a Chelsea jersey featuring his name and number. This shirt will be given to our opponents as a gesture of goodwill.

Next came the football match, during which Maresca decided to completely revamp his lineup, making eleven substitutions. Filip Jorgensen took his place in goal, while the defense was formed by Marc Cucurella, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, and Renato Veiga. In midfield, Enzo Fernandez partnered with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and the attacking front featured Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Mudryk, and Nkunku.

The first opportunity arose within the first two minutes, marking a key moment in the match. Filip Mladenovic took a free-kick aimed at the back post, allowing Tin Jedvaj to deliver a strong header towards the goal. However, Jorgensen made a fantastic save, deflecting the ball high and out of harm's way.

It was a great pause that kept the electric vibe in the stadium from escalating even further. Consequently, the Blues found their rhythm, and Maresca's game plan became evident.

When we didn't have the ball, Disasi played as our right-back while Badiashile and Veiga took up the center-back positions, and Cucurella occupied the left-back spot. However, once we gained possession, the defense shifted to a three-man line, and Cucurella joined Fernandez and Dewsbury-Hall in the midfield.

This strategy allowed the Blues to gradually gain dominance in the match, and around the halfway point of the first half, we managed to score the first goal.

After gaining control of the midfield, Dewsbury-Hall sent a precise 30-yard pass over to Felix. He met the ball with a header and deftly flicked it to Mudryk. The Ukrainian then advanced into the Panathinaikos penalty area and chose the ideal moment to pass the ball back to Felix. The Portuguese player then capped it off with a skillful finish from close distance.

It was a chance for the traveling Chelsea fans to make their voices count amidst the ongoing cheers from the home crowd. We nearly extended our lead soon after. Mudryk played a key role again, sending a pass across the edge of the penalty area to Fernandez, whose powerful shot was deflected over the bar by Bartlomiej Dragowski.

Maresca's team kept controlling the game effectively, and the home side couldn’t create any more chances to challenge Jorgensen before halftime. On the other hand, the Blues had one more noteworthy opportunity from Felix, but his long-range shot didn’t pose any threat to Dragowski.

After the halftime break, Maresca's team had the task of not only keeping up their performance but also enhancing it. We succeeded in doing so, and in a remarkable way.

Just three minutes into the second half, we scored our second goal. Neto played a key role by combining with Dewsbury-Hall before sending a tempting cross to the back post. Mudryk had moved in from the left side and found himself unmarked, easily heading the ball into the net.

The score quickly increased from two to three, thanks to Mudryk and Felix teaming up once more. The Ukrainian player retrieved a clearance and sent a pass to Felix near the edge of the Panathinaikos box. Felix's shot was aimed accurately, but it took a deflection that helped it get past Dragowski.

The fourth goal came from a penalty. Felix earned the penalty when his pass hit Jedvaj's arm. Nkunku stepped up to take the shot and once again showcased his composure, successfully placing the ball in the corner from 12 yards out.

After securing a comfortable four-goal advantage, Maresca decided to make some substitutions. He brought on Marc Guiu in place of Nkunku and Tyrique George replaced Neto.

Despite this, Chelsea continued their attack, and with some clever footwork in the box, Disasi managed to send a powerful shot toward the near post. However, Dragowski was able to stretch and deflect the ball away.

Following the halftime break, the home team struggled to create scoring opportunities. However, they managed to score in the 69th minute when substitute Georgios Vagiannidis made a strong run and sent a cross into the Chelsea area, allowing Pellistri to finish from close range.

Chelsea made additional substitutions with Cesare Casadei coming on for Enzo Fernandez, followed by Carney Chukwuemeka, who replaced Dewsbury-Hall.

They assisted the Blues in seeing the game through to the end, though there was one opportunity for Felix to secure his hat-trick after an excellent cross from George. Unfortunately, the Portugal international sent his volley over the crossbar, and Chelsea had to be satisfied with just four goals.

Following our first two matches in the Conference League, the Blues are currently at the top of the group standings, having earned six points out of a possible six and boasting a goal difference of plus-five.

After flying back to London, it's time to focus on work as we prepare for our Premier League match against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Panathinaikos lineup: Dragowski; Kotsiras, Schenkeveld, Jedvaj, Mladenovic (replaced by Vagiannidis in the 60th minute); Cerin, Maksimovic; Mancini (subbed off for Tete in the 60th), Ounahi (Bakasetas on in the 80th), Pellistri (Duricic came on in the 70th); Jeremejeff (Sporar entered in the 70th). Players not used: Lodygin, Lilo, Ingason, Fikaj, Bregou, Willian Arao, Ntampizas. Goal scored by: Pellistri in the 69th minute. Caution: Mladenovic received a yellow card in the 58th minute.

Chelsea's lineup included Jorgensen; Cucurella, Disasi, Badiashile, and Veiga; Enzo (replaced by Casadei in the 71st minute), Dewsbury-Hall (substituted by Chukwuemeka in the 77th minute); Neto (on for George in the 62nd minute), Felix, and Mudryk; with Nkunku coming off for Guiu in the 62nd minute. The team had several unused substitutes: Sanchez, Bergstrom, Tosin, Rak-Sakyi, Madueke, Sancho, and Mheuka. The goals in the match were scored by Joao Felix at 22 and 55 minutes, Mudryk at 49 minutes, and Nkunku at 59 minutes. Disasi received a yellow card in the second minute of stoppage time.