Pandev 2-1 Panathinaikos Wednesday 8 August, 2007
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Goran Pandev bagged a brace in a 2-1 victory over Greek giants Panathinaikos on Wednesday evening.
The friendly test at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome continued their preparations for the Champions League preliminary round against Dinamo Bucharest.
Luciano Zauri and Simone Inzaghi combined to create the opener, as Pandev rose to nod in the full-back’s cross.
N’Doye curled a free kick past Marco Ballotta just six minutes later to draw Panathinaikos level.
It was far from a friendly atmosphere, as there were several bookings and Salpingidis saw red on 53 minutes for a dreadful late tackle on Guglielmo Stendardo.
The Biancocelesti kept on pushing and Pandev completed his brace to secure the victory, tapping in a corner kick from close range.
“It is still summer friendly football, but in six days we are playing for a whole lot,” said Coach Delio Rossi.
“We are in good spirits ahead of that appointment. There are things we have to improve on, but the squad is already in good shape.”
Tommaso Rocchi missed this friendly match due to a back problem.