Panathinaikos Vs Chelsea

On Thursday evening, Chelsea will seek to secure their second victory in the 2024-25 Conference League as they head to Greece to take on Panathinaikos at the Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis. This match represents an important opportunity for the Blues to build momentum in their European campaign following a solid start.

In their opening match of the league phase three weeks ago, Chelsea demonstrated their attacking prowess by defeating Gent 4-2 at Stamford Bridge. In contrast, Panathinaikos managed to earn a point in their first match of the group, finishing in a 1-1 draw against Bosnian side Borac Banja Luka.

Match Preview

Chelsea's Recent Form and Leadership

Chelsea's head coach, Enzo Maresca, has been navigating a challenging yet promising start to the season. Following a commendable six-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League, during which the team amassed 14 points from late August to early October, Chelsea faced a setback last weekend. In a tough encounter at Anfield, they fell to league leaders Liverpool, suffering a 2-1 defeat.

The match saw Nicolas Jackson equalize for Chelsea shortly after halftime, nullifying Mohamed Salah’s earlier penalty. However, Liverpool quickly regained the lead just three minutes later, with Curtis Jones scoring the decisive goal. This result marked Chelsea's first away league defeat of the season, a disappointing outcome for a team that had shown resilience in recent weeks.

Despite the loss, Maresca remained optimistic about his squad’s performance, describing it as “one of the best of the season.” He emphasized that the team is progressing in the “right direction,” which is crucial for their overall confidence as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

Currently sitting sixth in the Premier League table, Chelsea is just three points shy of the top four. As they look forward to upcoming fixtures against formidable opponents like Newcastle United and Manchester United, the Blues must first redirect their focus to the Conference League and their inaugural encounter with Panathinaikos.

Chelsea's Strong Historical Record Against Greek Teams

Historically, Chelsea has enjoyed success against Greek teams in European competitions. They have faced Greek opposition six times, with a commendable record of four wins and two draws. Notably, both draws occurred on Greek soil: a goalless stalemate against Olympiacos in the round of 16 of the 2007-08 Champions League, and a 1-1 draw with Aris Thessaloniki in the 1970-71 Cup Winners’ Cup. This strong record will undoubtedly provide Chelsea with added confidence as they prepare to take on Panathinaikos.

Panathinaikos’ Recent Performance and Tribute to George Baldock

On the other hand, Panathinaikos recently ended a three-match winless streak in the Greek Super League by securing a 1-0 away victory against OFI. This match was particularly poignant, coming in the wake of the tragic passing of George Baldock, a promising player who died at just 31 years old earlier this month. The victory was dedicated to Baldock, and it marked a significant emotional moment for the team and its supporters.

The only goal of the match came from Brazilian winger Tete in the sixth minute, ensuring that the Greens claimed their third win of the season. This victory allowed Panathinaikos to climb into sixth place in the league table, positioning them five points behind joint-leaders Aris Thessaloniki and PAOK after eight games.

As they prepare for the clash with Chelsea, head coach Diego Alonso’s side will also be looking ahead to their next league match at home against Aris on Sunday. However, their immediate focus must shift to this challenging midweek Europa League matchup, which is expected to be one of their toughest tests in the group phase of this season's competition.

Home Advantage at Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis

Panathinaikos will take comfort in playing at home, where they have historically fared well. So far in 2024, they have played 23 designated home matches, suffering only five defeats. Additionally, they are currently on a four-game unbeaten streak at the Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis, with their most recent match being a 0-0 draw against reigning Conference League champions Olympiacos in the Greek Super League, just over three weeks ago.

However, the team’s record against English sides raises concerns. They have managed to secure just one win from their last 18 encounters with English clubs in European competitions, while drawing six times and suffering eleven defeats. The last time Panathinaikos faced an English opponent was against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2012-13 Europa League group stage, where they lost 3-1 away from home, although they did manage to hold Spurs to a 1-1 draw in their previous meeting at home two months earlier.

Conclusion

As Chelsea prepares to take on Panathinaikos, both teams face crucial challenges. For the Blues, this match represents an opportunity to solidify their position in the Conference League after a strong start, while for Panathinaikos, it is a chance to regain momentum and honor the memory of George Baldock. The stage is set for an exciting encounter at Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis, with both teams eager to secure vital points in their respective campaigns.