Panathinaikos opened their pre-season campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over Dutch side Helmond Sport. With Jacob Neestrup taking charge of the team for the first time, the Greens had the opportunity to put into practice the work carried out during their demanding training camp in Apeldoorn. Panathinaikos scored four goals, created several more chances, and delivered an encouraging overall performance despite the expected physical fatigue from pre-season preparations.
The Greens approached the match with intensity and determination, taking a two-goal lead before the opening ten minutes had elapsed. In the 6th minute, Taborda opened the scoring with a close-range finish following a corner kick, while three minutes later Tetteh headed home Cerin’s free-kick delivery to make it 2-0.
As the first half progressed, the pace inevitably dropped due to the heavy training workload, but Panathinaikos remained firmly in control of the match.
At the start of the second half, Jacob Neestrup made nine substitutions, keeping only Touba and Taborda from the starting eleven. The Greens continued to dictate play and increased the tempo during the final 20 minutes. Their pressure paid off in the 74th minute when Antino struck from long range with an excellent effort to extend the lead to 3-0. The Argentine forward completed his brace in the 85th minute with a superb composed finish inside the penalty area following Kamara’s cut-back and Pantelidis’ involvement in the move, sealing the final 4-0 scoreline.
Panathinaikos’ next friendly on Dutch soil will take place on Saturday, July 4, at 18:00 against Ajax.
Panathinaikos: Peña (46′ Chávez), Calabria (46′ Tsapras), Biniaris (46′ Kyriakopoulos), Katris (46′ Ingason), Touba (72′ Lavdas), Cirivella (46′ Kamara), Cerin (46′ Siopis), Jagusic (46′ Kontouris), Taborda (72′ Biniaris), Zaroury (46′ Antino), Tetteh (46′ Pantelidis).
