Panathinaikos wrapped up their training camp in the Netherlands with an impressive 3-1 victory over Ajax in a friendly match. Jacob Neestrup’s side pressed aggressively from the opening whistle until the final minute, played attractive football and deservedly claimed the win, completing the main stage of their pre-season preparations on a positive note.
The Greens started brightly and created two excellent opportunities inside the opening ten minutes. They took the lead in the 15th minute after breaking through Ajax’s high press. Tsapras played a perfectly weighted through ball to Tetteh, who finished clinically.
Panathinaikos continued to dictate the tempo, coping excellently with Ajax’s relentless pressing, and doubled their advantage in the 31st minute. Jagusic combined with Ingason, who cleverly returned the ball with a backheel. The Croatian attacking midfielder delicately lifted the ball over the goalkeeper, allowing Zaroury to tap home from close range.
Ajax improved during the closing stages of the first half and reduced the deficit in the 44th minute, when Konadu headed home from a Steven Berghuis cross.
Panathinaikos raised their level once again after the restart and regained control of the match. Throughout the second half, Jacob Neestrup made wholesale changes, with Rastonder making his unofficial debut in the green shirt. The new striker almost marked the occasion with a goal in the 66th minute after the Greens won possession high up the pitch and Kontouris set him through, but the Ajax goalkeeper produced an excellent save.
The third goal eventually arrived in the 73rd minute. Following an outstanding team move, Kontouris switched play to Biniaris, whose pinpoint cross found Taborda, and the forward headed home to seal the 3-1 victory.
Panathinaikos’ next friendly match is scheduled for 11 July (21:00) against Grasshoppers at Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium.
Panathinaikos: Peña (46′ Kotsaris), Kyriakopoulos (72′ Biniaris), Touba (77′ Lavdas), Ingason (46′ Katris), Calabria (13′ Tsapras), Camara (63′ Siopis), Cerin (46′ Chirivella), Jagusic (63′ Pantelidis), Antino (63′ Taborda), Zaroury (46′ Kontouris), Tetteh (63′ Rastonder).
