Ajax vs Panathinaikos

Panathinaikos struck early. In the 16th minute, T. Tsapras delivered from the left and A. Tetteh finished to make it 1-0. Fifteen minutes later, A. Jagusic slipped A. Zaroury through on goal and the Moroccan winger slotted past the Ajax goalkeeper for 2-0.

Ajax pulled one back on the stroke of half-time. O. Gloukh provided the assist and Don-Angelo Konadu found the net in the 43rd minute, giving the home side hope heading into the break at 1-2.

Ajax made 11 substitutions at half-time — effectively an entirely new outfield XI — and the wholesale change disrupted their rhythm. While the fresh legs created chances, the lack of cohesion allowed Panathinaikos to absorb pressure and counter. The decisive blow came in the 74th minute: P. Biniaris delivered an excellent cross from the left after Ajax defender Maher Carrizo slipped, and substitute V. Taborda headed home to restore the two-goal cushion.

• A. Zaroury (Panathinaikos) — scored the crucial second goal with a composed finish and was a constant threat before being substituted at half-time.
• V. Taborda (Panathinaikos) — came off the bench and sealed the win with a well-taken header from Biniaris' cross.
• Jorthy Mokio (Ajax) — the Belgian teenager came closest to a second-half Ajax comeback, smashing an 18-yard effort off the post in the 87th minute.
• Don-Angelo Konadu (Ajax) — the bright spot for the home side, scoring Ajax's only goal with a well-timed run and finish just before the interval.

Player of the match: V. Taborda.

The stats show a remarkably even contest by the numbers: Ajax had 48.7% possession against Panathinaikos' 51.3%, with both teams registering 14 fouls and four corners each. Panathinaikos edged the shot count 14-10, reflecting their sharper edge in the final third during the opening half-hour. Ajax's best spell came after the 70th minute — Carrizo drilled just wide in the 83rd minute, and Mokio hit the upright four minutes later — but they could not find a second goal. The 11 half-time changes made by both sides mean the stats reflect two different games: a controlled first-half display by the Greeks and an energetic but disjointed second-half chase by Ajax's reserves.

This was Ajax's first pre-season friendly under Michel Sanchez, who took over in the summer. Speaking after the match, Sanchez told the Ajax website: "The team trains with a lot of energy and I want that energy to help us improve further and become a solid group." Captain Davy Klaassen added: "It's a different way of playing under the new coach. That takes time."

Ajax's next friendly is against AEK Larnaca on Friday 10 July, before they enter the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round on 23 and 30 July against either FK Vojvodina or Ferencváros.

For Panathinaikos, this was their second pre-season win. Head coach Jacob Nistrup (per Gazzetta) will be encouraged by the performance. Greek journalist Nikos Athanasiou wrote: "Very good image for the season — Panathinaikos got a good grade in their first strong test of pre-season."

A pre-season friendly that told the truth: Panathinaikos were sharper, more organised and deserved their win against an Ajax side still adapting to a new coach and system. Sanchez has two weeks before meaningful European football begins, and the number of changes at the break underlined how much squad evaluation remains. For the Greeks, this was a statement performance against a European heavyweight.

Ajax face AEK Larnaca (10 July) and travel to Garderen for a week-long training camp starting 6 July.