Blues Cruise Past Panathinaikos in Champions League Opener
Chelsea got their Champions League campaign off to a flying start with a convincing 4-1 win over Panathinaikos at Stamford Bridge on October 25th, 2024. The Blues were in complete control from the whistle, dominating possession and creating a ton of chances. It was a bit of a rough night for the Greek side, who never really got going and ended up being on the receiving end of a real footballing lesson.
The first half was all Chelsea. They were quick out of the gates, pressing high and forcing Panathinaikos into making mistakes. The breakthrough came in the 15th minute when Raheem Sterling slotted home a cool finish after a fantastic through ball from Enzo Fernández. Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure, and doubled their lead just before the break when Mykhailo Mudryk unleashed a rocket of a shot from just outside the box that left the goalkeeper with no chance.
Panathinaikos came out with more fight in the second half, but they were still struggling to contain the rampant Chelsea attack. The Blues got their third goal in the 60th minute through Nicolas Jackson, who was a constant menace up front. The Greek side did pull one back through a well-taken free kick from Alexandros Dimou, but it was all too little, too late.
Chelsea wrapped up the scoring with a fourth goal in the 80th minute, with Mudryk grabbing his second of the game. This win sends a strong message to the rest of the group, showing that Chelsea are serious about winning the Champions League this season.
Here are some key takeaways from the game:
- Chelsea's attack is firing on all cylinders. They were absolutely relentless going forward, with multiple players looking sharp and dangerous.
- Enzo Fernández is a true difference-maker. He controlled the midfield like a maestro, creating chances and dictating the tempo of the game.
- Panathinaikos were simply outmatched. They had their moments, but ultimately couldn't compete with the quality and intensity of Chelsea.
This was a dominant performance from Chelsea, and it sets them up nicely for the rest of the Champions League group stage.
Next up for Chelsea is a crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City, while Panathinaikos will be looking to bounce back against a tough opponent in the next round.