Chelsea continued their impressive run in the UEFA Conference League with a commanding 4-1 victory over Panathinaikos at the Athens’ Olympic Stadium, showcasing both depth and skill in their squad.
Making a bold move, manager Mauricio Pochettino chose to start a completely rotated line-up, featuring 11 new faces compared to their usual starting XI. Despite the wholesale changes, the London club’s dominance was evident from the outset.
The first breakthrough came in the 22nd minute as Joao Felix opened the scoring with a well-taken finish, giving the Blues a deserved lead and setting the tone for the match. Chelsea maintained a stronghold over possession throughout the first half, limiting Panathinaikos to minimal opportunities.
Shortly after the halftime break, Mykhailo Mudryk found the back of the net in the 48th minute, extending Chelsea’s lead to two. The Greek side struggled to keep pace with Chelsea’s fluid play, and in the 55th minute, Felix struck again, securing his brace with a clinical finish to put the Blues up 3-0.
With Chelsea firmly in control, Christopher Nkunku added a fourth goal from the penalty spot in the 59th minute, making it a nearly insurmountable 4-0 lead for the visitors.
Despite Chelsea’s dominance, Panathinaikos managed to find a consolation goal in the 69th minute when Facundo Pellistri capitalized on a rare chance, converting past Chelsea’s defense. However, it was too little, too late for the hosts, who found it difficult to respond to Chelsea’s continued pressure.
In addition to the goals, Chelsea dominated in possession with 60% of the ball, registering 14 shots, nine of which were on target. Their tactical precision kept Panathinaikos largely pinned in their half, with the home side only occasionally breaking into the Blues’ territory.
This victory cements Chelsea’s status as one of the favourites to lift the Conference League trophy, while Panathinaikos struggled to match the intensity and skill of their opponents in what was their first home game since the tragic loss of star player George Baldock. Chelsea now look forward to maintaining their unbeaten run as they advance through the group stage with high hopes.