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Panathinaikos vs Chelsea - Conference League: Live score and updates

Chelsea stars arrive for duty

Breaking:Chelsea team news: Maresca makes 11 changes from Liverpool defeat

Enzo Fernandez captains the side in Greece as Maresca expectantly makes wholesale changes to the side that lost to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Nkunku bagged a hat-trick in the last Europa League clash, while Neto will be keen to impress and earn a starting spot in the Premier League side.

Felix: 'I liked what [Maresca] said to me, the way he thinks of football and the way he plays'

Joao Felix, Chelsea, pre-match:

I liked what he said to me, the way he thinks of football and the way he plays. I liked what he said and I knew the competition would be hard but I’m here to work. I know what I can offer, what I can do and I think I can help the team.
It’s only a matter of time and nothing will stop me achieving my dreams. I will always work hard when wearing the shirt and I think it’s only a matter of time before I help the team.

ATHENS, GREECE - OCTOBER 24: Joao Felix of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Panathinaikos FC and Chelsea FC at Olympic Athletic Center of Athens Spyridon Louis or OAKA on October 24, 2024 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Four academy graduates included in Blues squad

Enzo Maresca is using the Conference League as an opportunity to give members of his bloated squad some minutes. He's also seeing it as a chance to give the club's gifted youngsters a taste of first-team action.

Four academy players, Lucas Bergstrom, Tyrique Geroge, Samuel Rak-Sayki, and Shumaira Mheuka, are among the travelling party tonight.

We'll see if any are afforded a start when the team news comes in shortly.

ATHENS, GREECE - OCTOBER 23: Cesare Casadei and Tyrique George of Chelsea during a training session before the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Olympic Stadium on October 23, 2024 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Panathinaikos to pay tribute to Baldock before kick-off

The former Sheffield United defender tragically died earlier this month while a Panathinaikos player. The club are playing their first home game tonight since his passing and they are set to pay tribute to their former player ahead of kick-off.

Chelsea supporters have been invited to participate in the display by collecting green sheets of paper when entering the stadium.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: A minute of silence is held for ex-Sheffield United player George Baldock. The England-born Greece international was found dead in the swimming pool of his house in Glyfada, southern Athens. Baldock was currently playing for Greek club Panathinaikos.prior to the Barclays Women's Championship match between Sheffield United and Birmingham City  at Bramall Lane on October 11, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Tributes are laid for ex-Sheffield United player George Baldock on October 11, 2024 in Sheffield, England. The England-born Greece international was found dead in the swimming pool of his house in Glyfada, southern Athens. Baldock was currently playing for Greek club Panathinaikos. prior to the Barclays Women's Championship match between Sheffield United and Birmingham City  at Bramall Lane on October 11, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Maresca: 'I don't think tomorrow’s environment is worse or better than Anfield last Sunday'

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea manager, pre-match:

I don't think tomorrow’s environment is worse or better than Anfield last Sunday. So I think the players are quite good at dealing with that.
Panathinaikos have some good players. For instance, I was at Leicester last year and Tete was there two years ago, so I know [about him]. There are different kinds of players and they are good players.

Blues in Athens for European clash

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport's coverage of Chelsea's Europa Conference League clash against Panathinaikos at the Athens Olympic Stadium. The Blues are overwhelming favourites for this competition given their resources but they could face a tough test tonight in front of a raucous Greek crowd.

The atmosphere will no doubt be heightened with this being Panathinaikos' first home game since the tragic death of George Baldock earlier this month.

We'll be bringing you all the updates ahead of the 5:45pm kick-off and then all the action when the game gets underway. Let's go!

ATHENS, GREECE - OCTOBER 24:  A general view inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Panathinaikos FC and Chelsea FC at Olympic Athletic Center of Athens Spyridon Louis or OAKA on October 24, 2024 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Key Updates

  • Chelsea team news: Maresca makes 11 changes from Liverpool defeat

  • Panathinaikos to pay tribute to Baldock before kick-off

  • Maresca: 'I don't think tomorrow’s environment is worse or better than Anfield last Sunday'

  • Blues in Athens for European clash

TOP STORIES

Source: dailymail.co.uk

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6 hours ago - MATT BARLOW: They call him Starman. Originally because of the tune sung by fans when he went running down the right. Sadly, since his tragic death, that comes with a new celestial dimension.
1 week ago - Baldock, who also played for the likes of MK Dons and Northampton in England, was discovered after his partner back home in England had been unable to get hold of him for several hours.
2 days ago - MIKE KEEGAN: Sources close to the Super League side have disclosed that Giannis Alafouzos is looking into whether it is possible to make the gesture the emotional occasion on October 30.
1 hour ago - The former Sheffield United star - who was born in England but had played international football for Greece since 2022 - was found dead in a swimming pool at his home near Athens on October 9.
1 week ago - MIKE KEEGAN: According to sources close to the club, Panathinaikos may well honour the full contract of Baldock following the tragic passing of their former Sheffield United player.
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