Alpha News

Paphos Falls to Chelsea Despite Strong Performance

Published January 21, 2026, 23:10

Paphos suffered a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in London, in the seventh matchday of the Champions League League Phase. Despite the loss, the Cypriot team expressed satisfaction with their performance and disappointment with the result, emphasizing the dignity with which they fought against a strong opponent. Coach Albert Theladas expressed his pride in his players' mentality, despite the frustration of losing points. He acknowledged the difficulty of the venue and the quality of Chelsea, but stressed that Paphos created their chances and showed they could compete at a high level. The statement "Paphos is here" underlines the team's determination to continue fighting with dignity and striving for the best possible outcome. Kostas Pileas also emphasized Paphos' control of the match, despite lacking possession of the ball. He explained that Chelsea's goal came from a set-piece and stressed the need to correct mistakes for future matches. He acknowledged the absences but reiterated his faith in the team's quality and its ability to cope with difficult situations. Jay Gorter, a Paphos player, acknowledged Chelsea's quality and expressed his disappointment at the one-goal defeat. He stressed that the team played with passion and that the players were downcast in the dressing room after the match. He expressed his pride in his teammates and the effort they put in. Liam Rosenior of Chelsea stated that Paphos was well-organized and gave them a hard time.