Panathinaikos vs Grasshoppers

The first half was a story of two phases. Grasshoppers started aggressively, pressing high and forcing Panathinaikos into early errors. Per the GC Zürich match report, the visitors "conceded no chances" in the opening 20 minutes and looked comfortable on the ball at the historic Leoforos ground.

Panathinaikos grew into the game thereafter. The Greek side created seven first-half openings, with striker Albert Tetteh having three sights of goal (18', 22', 44'). Adriano Jagusic struck the post from a counter-attack in the 26th minute. Anass Zaroury (8') and Georgios Kiriakopoulos (17') also went close, but the score remained 0-0 at the break.

The deadlock came three minutes into the second half. Davide Calabria fed Jagusic, who carried the ball forward from outside the box and unleashed a shot that deflected off a Grasshoppers defender and into the net (48').

Grasshoppers thought they had an instant response when Valmir Krasniqi finished a neat combination through the penalty area, but the goal was ruled out for offside. In the 55th minute, Mohamed Hassane headed narrowly over for the visitors.

Panathinaikos doubled their lead in the 71st minute. Zaroury collected the ball just outside the area, made a sharp turn, drove into the box and lashed a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper.

The hosts had a scare in the 84th minute when Diaby — making his comeback after a long injury lay-off — played a superb switch of play to Marques, whose cross found Sahin in space. But the shot went wide.

Valentín Taborda sealed the win in the 88th minute, tapping in after good build-up play to make it 3-0.

Jagusic's deflected opener in the 48th minute shifted the match decisively. Grasshoppers had held firm for 45 minutes and had their own chances early in the second half — Krasniqi's disallowed goal and Hassane's header — but the opening goal forced them to chase the game, which created the space Zaroury and Taborda exploited.

Adriano Jagusic (Panathinaikos) — The Croatian midfielder scored the crucial opener, hit the post in the first half and was a constant threat. His composure on the ball drove Panathinaikos forward in the final third.

Anass Zaroury (Panathinaikos) — The Moroccan winger's powerful finish for 2-0 killed the contest. He had been lively throughout, creating an early chance in the 8th minute.

Valentín Taborda (Panathinaikos) — Came off the bench in the 59th minute and rounded off the scoring with a composed finish in the 88th.

Diaby (Grasshoppers) — Made his long-awaited return from injury and showed his quality with a gorgeous switch of play that set up Sahin's chance in the 84th minute.

Player of the match: Adriano Jagusic — a goal, a woodwork strike and a tireless midfield display.

Panathinaikos dominated the stat sheet: 58% possession, 18 total shots (7 on target) to Grasshoppers' 5 (2 on target), and 7 corners to 1. The 7-2 shots-on-target ratio reflects the Greek side's second-half efficiency — they had created chances before the break but lacked the final touch. Grasshoppers committed 16 fouls to Panathinaikos' 12, a sign of their struggles to contain the hosts once Jagusic had opened the scoring. The 0-0 yellow card count suggests a clean, competitive friendly with no ill discipline.

Panathinaikos made it three wins from three pre-season outings, following their 3-1 victory over Ajax on 4 July. This was the first appearance for new signing Stefan de Vrij, who came on at half-time for his debut. The match also served as a farewell to the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, with Panathinaikos set to move to a new home. Grasshoppers, who showed promise in the first 20 minutes, now turn their attention to their final pre-season test: a trip to SCR Altach on 18 July before the Swiss Super League campaign begins.

A game of two halves. Grasshoppers' high press worked for 20 minutes but Panathinaikos' superior quality told in the second period. Jagusic's opener was the catalyst, and the Greek side never looked back. Encouraging signs for Jacob Neestrup's side; a useful fitness workout for GC Zürich with real competitive football just a week away.