Slovenian football figures offer perspectives ahead of national derby

Former Slovenia national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have shared their perspectives ahead of the upcoming derby between rivals Olimpija Ljubljana and Maribor.

Čeh, who captained Slovenia during manager Srečko Katanec’s era and later served as his assistant for over a decade—including seven years coaching in Asia—expressed affection for both Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian side Grazer AK, while emphasizing his respect for Maribor.

Meanwhile, Ljubljana-born forward Jan Mlakar discussed returning to Maribor for a third tenure. Despite his hometown origins, Mlakar noted he "was never close to Olimpija" and expressed full trust in Maribor's management. Addressing Olimpija's recent struggles, Mlakar observed that while their rivals are currently experiencing a rough patch, a derby match presents a prime opportunity for a struggling squad to recover.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net