Joao Felix is superior to the others as Chelsea's backup makes a Conference League declaration.

The most dazzling second-string team on the continent is showing off their muscles once again on a Thursday night in the Conference League. At the beginning of the group round, a completely altered Chelsea starting lineup defeated Panathanikos of Greece 4-1 in Athens, making it two victories from two.

In addition to Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana, and Romeo Lavia, who were initially not registered for this stage of the league, five of Enzo Maresca's most reliable first-team players were left in London. The four players who had begun Sunday's 2-1 loss to Liverpool were all benched, giving the young players who have already established themselves as cup regulars this season another opportunity to shine.

Christopher Nkunku added the fourth goal after Joao Felix and the much-maligned Mykhailo Mudryk scored the first three goals together and, in Felix's instance, won the penalty. At this point, the Portuguese once again appeared superior, and his deft flip was crucial in a move he completed to open the score just before halftime. He was selfless enough not to demand a hat-trick opportunity from the penalty spot shortly after his second goal, which was fortunate to deflect past a wrong-footed 'keeper, allowing Nkunku to extend his flawless record in Europe this season to four goals in four.

Pedro Neto's cross was headed determinedly by Mudryk, who scored his first goal of the season in any tournament. This was one of the Ukrainian's best evenings wearing a Chelsea shirt, and it came at a good time, as he had not even made the bench against Anfield on Sunday. He also provided assists for both of Felix's goals. There was no resentment over that call, as evidenced by the big smile and joyful embrace he shared with Maresca after his goal successfully ended the competition.

In what Maresca acknowledged was a "complicated" mood as the hosts honored George Baldock, it was a more restrained and collected performance than Chelsea's 4-2 victory against Gent that opened their campaign prior to the international break. Panathanikos played his first home game since the 31-year-old was discovered dead in his swimming pool just two weeks prior. David Bowie's "Starman," the song that was used as the defender's cry throughout his lengthy tenure at Sheffield United, was playing as the crowd at Athens' Olympic Stadium held placards with his shirt number, 32, before kickoff.

Following his untimely death, home supporters gave George Baldock an emotional homage.

This event also had a somber tone for Maresca personally. The Blues manager talked on Wednesday about how his trips to Athens bring back conflicting memories. As a player, he played a season with Panathanikos' cross-city rivals Olympiacos, which was mostly happy, but he also played against them for Sevilla in an emotional first game following the death of his friend and teammate Antonio Puerta in 2007. After Chelsea's high defensive line was once again exposed, this time from a set-piece, the Greeks were able to channel the emotion best from kickoff and came very close early on, with Filip Jorgensen making a brilliant save to keep away Tin Jedvaj's header.

Jorgensen had a successful night, overcoming concussion protocols to play and exert pressure on Robert Sanchez, whose inconsistent league play has raised new questions about his status as the starting number one. Maresca, who has snarled when questioned about his team's defensive shortcomings in recent weeks, would have been extremely pleased to see a clean sheet for the first time in a month following the 5-0 thumping of League One team Barrow.

As an alternative, former Manchester United winger Facundo Pellestri scored a consolation goal after a brilliant move to make it five straight games when the Blues' defense has been breached. Given that the manager has Premier League games against Newcastle, Manchester United, and Arsenal over the next three weekends, that will continue to bother him. Chelsea is dominating in Europe, though, and a run deep into the competition's final stages already seems inevitable.