Slovenian football figures reflect on club rivalry ahead of derby

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and forward Jan Mlakar have shared their perspectives on the enduring rivalry between NK Maribor and Olimpija Ljubljana.

Čeh, who previously captained the national squad and spent over ten years in coaching roles alongside Srečko Katanec, highlighted his lasting fondness for Olimpija while maintaining deep respect for Maribor. Meanwhile, Ljubljana-native Mlakar has returned to Maribor for his third stint with the club. Mlakar addressed long-standing speculation regarding his background, clarifying that he was "never close to joining Olimpija." He added that despite Olimpija's recent struggles, the team "can only gain" in the upcoming derby matchup.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net