In a commanding UEFA Europa Conference League performance, Chelsea secured a dominant 4-1 away win against Panathinaikos at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
The Blues displayed resilience early on, surviving the hosts’ initial pressure before turning the match in their favor.
This emphatic victory keeps Chelsea’s perfect start in the competition intact, with standout performances from Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Christopher Nkunku.
Joao Felix Leads the Charge as Chelsea Cruise to Victory
From the onset, Panathinaikos showed intent, pressing high and causing early concerns for Chelsea’s backline. In the second minute, the hosts almost took the lead as Tin Jedvaj’s header from a free-kick was smartly saved by Filip Jorgensen.
However, this would be the closest Panathinaikos came to rattling the Blues, as Chelsea’s defense held firm, allowing the team to settle into the game.
The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Joao Felix, who had been knocking on the door throughout the opening exchanges, scored a well-executed goal.
After flicking the ball to Mudryk, Felix darted into the box, where the Ukrainian returned the favor with a low cross. Felix calmly slid the ball past Dragowski to give Chelsea the lead.
Mudryk and Felix Shine in a Clinical Second Half
The first half ended with the blues in control, but the second half saw the visitors truly assert their dominance.
Just three minutes after the restart, Mudryk doubled Chelsea’s advantage with a powerful header into the roof of the net, following a well-placed cross from Pedro Neto.
The Ukrainian, who had already assisted Felix’s first-half goal, was in top form and looked a constant threat on the left wing.
Chelsea’s third goal arrived in the 55th minute, and it was Felix again who found the back of the net.
Mudryk, continuing his stellar night, played a perfectly weighted pass to Felix on the edge of the box.
The Portuguese forward’s shot took a deflection off Maksimovic, wrong-footing Dragowski, and making it 3-0 to the visitors.
Nkunku Seals the Win from the Spot
Just four minutes later, Chelsea were awarded a penalty after Daniel Mancini was penalized for handball in the box.
Despite attempts from Panathinaikos fans to distract him with laser pens, Christopher Nkunku coolly slotted the ball into the net, sending Dragowski the wrong way to make it 4-0.
At this point, Chelsea were cruising, and although Panathinaikos made several substitutions to spark a response, the deficit was too large to overcome.
The hosts did manage to pull one goal back in the 69th minute, when Tete and Vagiannidis combined to set up Facundo Pellistri for a simple tap-in at the back post.
It was little more than a consolation, as Chelsea comfortably saw out the remainder of the match.
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Chelsea’s Tactical Masterclass on Display
This performance from Chelsea was not just about individual brilliance; it was a testament to the tactical discipline instilled by coach Enzo Maresca.
Despite making 11 changes from their previous match against Liverpool, Chelsea played with fluidity and purpose. Their control of possession, combined with clinical finishing, showed the depth in their squad.
Panathinaikos, meanwhile, struggled to create meaningful chances. Their best opportunity came early in the first half with Jedvaj’s header, but they couldn’t capitalize on it.
As the game wore on, the Greek side found it increasingly difficult to break through Chelsea’s solid defensive structure.
By the end of the match, Chelsea had racked up an xG (expected goals) of 2.42, comfortably outperforming Panathinaikos’ 1.18. This highlights just how efficient Chelsea were in front of goal, converting their chances while limiting their opponents to speculative efforts.
With this 4-1 victory, Chelsea’s ambitions in the UEFA Europa Conference League are looking stronger than ever.
They’ve now won both of their group-stage matches, and this latest triumph sends a clear message to the rest of the competition.
Joao Felix, in particular, has made a compelling case for more regular starts, while Mudryk’s contribution will surely delight fans who’ve been eager to see him replicate his pre-transfer form.
As Chelsea returns to London, they’ll be buoyed by their growing momentum in Europe. The Blues will now turn their attention back to the Premier League, but with their Conference League campaign in full swing, they’ll be confident of going deep in the tournament.
For Panathinaikos, this defeat serves as a reminder of the challenges of competing against Europe’s elite. While they showed glimpses of potential, particularly through Pellistri’s goal and their early pressure, they’ll need to regroup and find consistency if they want to progress from the group stages.
