1 Panathinaikos 0-0 Chelsea
Just a quick reminder:
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca appears to have opted for a 4-3-3 formation for his heavily rotated line-up against Panathinaikos.
Filip Jorgensen starts in goal with Renato Veiga at right-back and Marc Cucurella on the other hand, while Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi team up at centre-back.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Joao Felix and captain Enzo Fernandez link up in midfield.
Pedro Neto, Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku spearhead the attack.
A minute’s silence
A minute’s silence is being held for Panathinaikos hero George Baldock who died two weeks ago.
PAO players are especially emotional as they stand in the middle of the pitch with the Chelsea stars.
Reminding you that this is the hosts’ first home match after the Sheffield United legend’s death.
The Greek giants are dedicating the entire season to him, while the team will fly to Milton Keynes for the funeral on October 30 after owner Yiannis Alafouzos chartered a flight.
Here come the teams
Athens’ Olympic Stadium, which we will refer to as its common name of OAKA, is ready to host the Conference League clash between Panathinaikos and Chelsea.
The Blues are led to the pitch by captain Enzo Fernandez, while the hosts follow with Bart Schenkeveld wearing the club’s esteemed armband.
A tribute to Panathinaikos hero George Baldock will follow with home fans currently holding up cards with No32 written on them to honour his shirt number.
A band played David Bowie’s Starman, which was the Greece great’s nickname at Sheffield United.
More Baldock tribute
Panathinaikos star George Baldock’s death has led to tribute from around the world.
Tonight’s Conference League match with Chelsea marks PAO’s first home game without Baldock and the club will dedicate the fixture to him.
Both sets of players will be wearing black armbands and a minute’s silence will be held.
And 32 children playing in the Greek giants’ youth side will make their way to the pitch carrying flags to honour the Greece international’s shirt number.
A band will also play “Starman”, which is the nickname that was given to the right-back by Sheffield United fans.
Posters are scattered around OAKA that read: “There’s a Starman waiting in the sky.”
Ex-Manchester United ace Facundo Pellistri, who joined Panathinaikos with Baldock, revealed the team will push to win the Superleague for him.
Manager Diego Alonso revealed the team underwent “15 days of pain” after his death but are now determined to dedicate the season to him.
For George Baldock
As we reported earlier, this will be a very emotional match for Panathinaikos as this marks their first home game without George Baldock.
Baldock joined PAO in the summer after seven years with Sheffield United, whom he helped achieve two Premier League promotions,
But the Blades’ legendary Starman tragically died two weeks ago when he drowned in his swimming pool at his home in Glyfada at the age of 31.
The right-back’s passing led to global mourning, while Greece dedicated their historic Nations League win over England at Wembley only a day after their team-mate’s death.
Panathinaikos will be looking to do the same tonight against Chelsea as more tribute will be paid.
