Aleš Čeh and Jan Mlakar reflect on Slovenian derby ties ahead of Olimpija-Maribor clash

Former Slovenian national football team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have weighed in on their connections to rivals Olimpija Ljubljana and Maribor ahead of the upcoming derby.

Čeh, who captained Slovenia during manager Srečko Katanec’s tenure and later spent over a decade as his assistant, expressed deep affection for both Olimpija and Austrian club Grazer AK, while emphasizing his respect for Maribor. Following his playing career, Čeh coached alongside Katanec for 11 years, including seven years managing in Asia.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Ljubljana-born forward Mlakar discussed his third stint with Maribor. Despite his hometown roots, Mlakar stated that he "was never close to Olimpija" and expressed complete trust in Maribor's leadership. Mlakar also noted that while Olimpija currently faces a rough patch, a derby match presents an ideal opportunity for a struggling team to recover.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net