The Football Faithful
·24 October 2024
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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·24 October 2024
Chelsea travel to face Panathinaikos in their second fixture of the Europa Conference League’s group stage.
The West Londoners opened their European season with an entertaining 4-2 win over Gent at Stamford Bridge and next face Panathinaikos in Athens.
Enzo Maresca is set to ring the changes for the contest having left a collection of first-team regulars at home for the trip, as the Italian rotates the deep squad at his disposal this season.
It will be Chelsea’s first-ever meeting with the 20-time Greek Super League champions, who are currently sixth domestically after a disappointing start to the campaign.
Panathinaikos, who beat Lens in a play-off to reach the Conference League’s group phase, drew with Bosnian outfit FK Borac Banja Luka in their first fixture.
Chelsea have never lost to Greek opposition in European competition.
Enzo Maresca is set to make wholesale changes to his squad for the clash in the Greek capital, having afforded several senior names the luxury of rest this week.
Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson have all not travelled to Greece, with one eye on Sunday’s clash with top-four rivals Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer will also not be involved, having been omitted from the 25-player squad for the Europa Conference League. Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia were also excluded to hand the injury-plagued duo additional recovery between games.
Chelsea predicted XI: Filip Jorgensen; Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Renato Veiga; Cesare Casadei, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall; Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk; Christopher Nkunku.
Panathinaikos host Chelsea in the Europa Conference League on Thursday 24th October 2024. Kick-off in Athens is 17:45 BST.
UK viewers can watch the game on TNT Sports.