Chelsea handed trips to Germany, Athens in the conference league
Chelsea FC will navigate uncharted waters this season as they participate in the UEFA Conference League for the first time in their history.
Following a sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season, the Blues have been drawn into a challenging league phase, which was unveiled on Friday in Monaco.
The London club will face stern tests away from home, including a trip to Germany to face Bundesliga side Heidenheim and another journey to Athens to clash with Panathinaikos.
Chelsea will also play host to Gent from Belgium, Shamrock Rovers of Ireland, and Armenian side FC Noah, who battled through four qualifying rounds to reach this stage.
Under the leadership of head coach Enzo Maresca, Chelsea is set to make their mark in this relatively new European competition, established just three years ago.
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The club’s storied history includes two Champions League titles, two Europa Leagues, and other prestigious European trophies, making them a formidable contender.
This season marks a significant change in the competition format. The traditional group stage has been replaced by a league phase, where 36 teams are divided into six seeded pots.
Each team will play six matches, one against a team from each pot.
The stakes are high, and Chelsea, who narrowly edged past Swiss side Servette in the play-offs, will aim to add the Conference League to their already impressive trophy cabinet.
The campaign begins on October 3, with the final set for May 28, 2025, in Wroclaw, Poland.
