Dropped points disappoint Pandev

Napoli striker Goran Pandev said it was disappointing that his side relinquished a 3-1 lead against league-leaders Juventus on Tuesday.

The Macedonia international started in place of Edinson Cavani for Walter Mazzarri’s men against the current Serie A leaders and bagged a brace to give the home team a two-goal cushion.

However, Antonio Conte’s side fought back to salvage a 3-3 draw, and Pandev felt the result was a case of two points lost rather than a point gained.

“It is a shame that we have not brought home the three points,” the 28-year-old told Tuttosport.

“We had a great first half but we play every three days and our concentration at the end dropped against a big team like Juve.”

Pandev is currently on loan at Napoli from Inter after a frustrating 2010-11 campaign, and he is eager to prove his fitness and form to the club which he thanks for showing faith in him.

“My condition was a problem; looking back at my last year at Inter we can see that I have not played much,” he said.

“Here I have worked hard to become injury-free. I have to thank the president, the coach and the director, as they really wanted me in Naples.”

The result means that Napoli are nine points behind pace-setters Juventus in the Serie A standings ahead of their home match against Lecce on Saturday.