Panathinaikos was sensational in Amsterdam! The Greens of Diego Alonso made a soul deposit at the Johan Cruyff Arena, where they beat Ajax 0 – 1 in the 120 minutes of the match! They reached an epic qualification, but they bowed out on penalties after a shocking process of 34 executions and with a score of 13-12!
It’s a shame and unfair for the great effort made by the Shamrock’s players on the pitch. At the same time, it is also clear that something big is being built in this year’s Panathinaikos. The excellent image of the team against a great opponent such as Ajax, shows the perspective, the potential and also the character that Alonso’s team possesses.
Panathinaikos will continue its European journey in the play offs of the Conference League, where it will face France’s Lens. The first match will be played away on August 22 and the second leg on the 29th of the month at OAKA.
Ajax tried to surprise by threatening only in the 2nd minute with Fitz-Jim. However, Dragowski was on hand to block the ball. Panathinaikos had an immediate response as in the 4th minute their players combined well creating the team’s first good moment. Cerin turned parallel for Djuricic at the first post, who made a forward move but did not “full” find the ball that ended up in Pasveer’s hands.
The Greens got measures on the field by touching the goal before the completion of the first quarter. In the 8th minute, Mancini’s pressure high outside the Ajax area paid off. The Argentinian stole the ball from Baas and Ioannidis, who entered the phase switching nicely with Djuricic, initially scored. The ball was countered and in the development of the phase, Ioannidis came out alone against Pasveer, but before he could execute, he was knocked down by Hatos inside the area. But neither the referee nor the VAR saw the penalty!
Ajax increased their pressure after 15′, creating threatening situations in Panathinaikos’ box. In the 18th minute, Akpom missed a shot, as did Soutalo in the 26th minute, while in the 29th minute, Ioannidis prevented Akpom’s goal by clearing before the ball crossed the line. Ayantas had a post on a strong shot by Berghuis in the 33′, while the 0-0 was maintained until the end of the half thanks to Dragowski’s interventions on a shot and Akpom’s header in the 43′ and 45′ respectively.
The second half started with Panathinaikos entering the field powerfully, touching the goal. In the 55th minute, Djuricic brilliantly avoided Henderson, came out alone in front of Pasveer, whom he tried to “hang”. The goalkeeper of Ajax stretched and saved, while in the development of the phase Bakasetas tried to score with a long shot, but the ball ended up just wide.
In the 57th minute, it was Ajax’s turn to threaten, but again Dragowski made a save in a four-on-one with Taylor. In the 63rd minute, Panathinaikos had another great chance to score in a double threat from a shot by Cerin that was blocked by Pasveer and a header by Ingasson that ended up going wide.
The Greens continued to patiently build their attacks in search of the goal. Tete shot wide in the 85th minute after a nice collaboration by the Greens, but in the 89th minute the ball ended up where it should: in the net! The Shamrock’s players pressed high, Vilhena claimed the ball, was favored by the opposition and Tete with good energy and perfect placement made it 0-1!
In the interval (88′), Ajax had a goal with Gods in a phase that would be checked in VAR as it appeared to be offside at the start.
The 90th minute ended with Panathinaikos equalizing the score of OAKA, sending the match to overtime.
Tete almost scored for the second time in the 98th minute with the help of an Ajax defender who put his foot down. Diego Alonso’s side were superior in extra time as they created better conditions in attack, but the much-coveted second goal did not come and qualification was decided on penalties.
After a thrilling and soul-crushing 34-run shootout, Ajax prevailed 13-12 and booked their ticket to the next round of the Europa League. On the contrary, the Greens, who had no luck on their side, will continue in the Conference League against Lance and aim to enter the League Stage.
Ajax: Pasveer, Rensch (110′ Bergwijn), Sutalo, Baas, Hato (99′ Brobbey), Fitz-Jim (71′ Van den Boomen), Henderson, Taylor, Berghuis (71′ Gaaei), Forbs (60′ Godts), Akpom (60′ Traore).
Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Mladenovic, Jedvaj, Ingasson, Kotsiras (68′ Vagiannidis), Arao (82′ Maksimovic), Cerin (82′ Vilhena), Djuricic (68′ Tete), Bakasetas (97′ Zeca), Mancini, Ioannidis (75 ‘ Jeremejjef).
