Chelsea Set to Face Panathinaikos in UEFA Europa Conference League
Chelsea Football Club is preparing to take on Greek side Panathinaikos in a UEFA Europa Conference League match early Thursday evening (British time).
While the Conference League may not be the most prestigious European tournament, it presents an opportunity for the Blues to redefine their identity.
‘ Winning this trophy would be a significant achievement for the modern Chelsea team and a boost for manager Enzo Maresca and his squad.
Securing the Conference League title would also guarantee Chelsea a spot in the 2025/26 Europa League Group Stage, a reward akin to winning the FA Cup, especially if they fail to qualify for the Champions League through their Premier League finish.
The team’s recent performance against Liverpool has dampened hopes for a top-four finish, but the focus now shifts to the upcoming match against Panathinaikos.
Chelsea’s European Journey So Far
Chelsea has shown confidence in their ability to advance to the knockout stages of the competition, so much so that they have left several key players off the roster for the group stage. Notably, Cole Palmer will not participate, as the club aims to protect their prized asset amid a busy schedule in the Premier League. Other players have been omitted due to fitness concerns or returning from injuries.
Despite this, Chelsea is expected to easily qualify for the next phase, given the lower standard of many teams in the competition. Even their second-choice lineup should be capable of dominating the group.
Expected Lineup Against Panathinaikos
Chelsea’s lineup for the match against Panathinaikos is likely to resemble their previous European outings against Gent and Servette. The second-choice team is expected to take the field, comprising:
- Filip Jorgensen
- Axel Disasi
- Benoit Badiashile
- Tosin Adarabioyo
- Renato Veiga
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
- Cesare Casadei
- Pedro Neto
- Joao Felix
- Mykhailo Mudryk
- Christopher Nkunku
With this lineup, Chelsea aims to continue their strong performance in the competition and take a step closer to achieving European glory.
Chelsea Set to Face Panathinaikos in UEFA Europa Conference League
