Former captain Čeh and striker Mlakar reflect on Slovenian football careers

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have reflected on their football trajectories and domestic league perspectives in separate interviews. Čeh, who captained Slovenia's national side under manager Srečko Katanec before spending over a decade as an assistant coach in Asia, reaffirmed his connection to Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian club Grazer AK, while emphasizing his respect for rival NK Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar has returned to NK Maribor for a third spell. Despite being born in Ljubljana, Mlakar noted he was never close to Olimpija and expressed confidence in Maribor's squad dynamics. Looking ahead to the derby against an Olimpija side facing domestic difficulties, Mlakar remarked that underdogs can benefit in traditional rivalries regardless of pre-match form.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net