Panathinaikos returned to winning form in emphatic fashion. The Greens comfortably defeated Kifisia 3-0 at Leoforos Stadium, playing attractive football and creating plenty of chances.
With Sandino Antino and Sotiris Kontouris making their debuts, and Andreas Tetei scoring his first goal in a Panathinaikos shirt, the Greens delivered a complete performance and head into next Wednesday’s Greek Cup semi-final first leg against PAOK with the best possible morale.
Panathinaikos, who lined up with seven changes compared to the match against Roma, needed some time to settle into the game. Kifissia threatened first in the 7th minute with a header from Maidana following a corner kick, but Tetei cleared the ball brilliantly.
As time went on, Panathinaikos improved their performance, applying increasing pressure on Kifissia’s defense, which finally broke in the 21st minute. Tetei combined nicely with Antino, who moved down the left and delivered a perfect pass to the Greens’ international striker. Tetei shielded the ball superbly and with a precise low shot sent it into the far corner for the 1-0. His first goal for Panathinaikos came against his former club…
The striker nearly scored again in the 32nd minute with an impressive overhead kick that went just wide. Before halftime (44’), Kifissia had a dangerous long-range effort from Pombo, but it missed the target.
Kifissia created two chances in the 54th and 57th minutes through Pombo, but Lafont was alert on both occasions to keep a clean sheet.
Panathinaikos raised their intensity dramatically and came close in the 59th minute when Kontouris, after an excellent move and combination with Zaroury, shot but was denied by Ramirez.
In the 63rd minute, the numerical balance changed as Siopis’ high pressure forced Petkov into receiving a second yellow card and being sent off. The Greens stepped on the gas, and after threatening again with Tetei and Jedvaj in the 65th minute, Antino in the 75th, and Bakasetas in the 77th, they made it 2-0 in the 81st minute.
Calabria delivered a brilliant through ball behind Kifissia’s defense, where Swiderski made his run and finished calmly, scoring his ninth goal of the season.
The final 3-0 came in the 84th minute after another excellent team move. Bakasetas played a through pass to Swiderski, who squared it to Cerin. His powerful shot was saved by Ramirez, but Taborda pounced on the rebound and scored for the second consecutive match.
Panathinaikos: Lafont, Calabria, Kyriakopoulos, Ingason, Jedvaj, Kontouris (79’ Cerin), Siopis (68’ Bakasetas), Renato Sanches, Pantelidis (58’ Zaroury), Antino (79’ Taborda), Tetteh (79’ Swiderski).
Kifissia: Ramirez, Simon, Hugo Souza, Embo, Perez (46’ Amani), Maidana (61’ Konate), Zerson Souza, Pombo, Pokorni (11’ Petkov), Christopoulos (46’ Antonisse), Mijic (56’ Theodoridis).
