Panathinaikos boss sends Chelsea 'respect' warning ahead of crucial Europa Conference League game
Chelsea are in Greece for their Europa Conference League as they look to return to winning ways straight away.
Chelsea have been warned that their game against Panathinaikos will not be a walk in the park as they aim to return to winning ways following a defeat in the league over the weekend.
Their hosts, Panathinaikos, are currently fifth in the Greek Super League and have seen teams like AEK Athens and PAOK dominate the league in recent seasons. However, Panathinaikos manager Diego Alonso emphasized that his team is focusing heavily on the Conference League and will give their English opponents all the respect they deserve, but without any fear.
He told reporters during the mandatory press conference ahead of the game in Athens: “Chelsea is a team we have a lot of respect for. We are not afraid; we respect them. When we played against teams that were smaller in scope, we respected them. I have learned to respect everyone.
“That means respect for the sport. Tomorrow, we can win the game. I don’t know what percentage chance we have, but even if it’s 1%, I will fight for it. This is team spirit. This is what I want—to fight our battle. Like we did with Ajax and Lens. The spirit must be the same. Throughout my career, we’ve always known how to deal with pressure. I trust my players.”
A Different kind of test
The game in Greece will present a different kind of challenge for Chelsea, who have drawn and lost their last two league games and face a potentially tough fixture against Newcastle over the weekend. However, they did win their previous Europa Conference League match against Gent and will have a strong chance of advancing smoothly if they secure all three points in the historic Greek capital.
They will have to do so without some key players, including Cole Palmer, Reece James, and Romeo Lavia, who have all stayed behind to focus on recovery and to better manage their playing time.