Slovenian football figures reflect on domestic rivalries and career paths

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and forward Jan Mlakar have offered perspectives on their careers and the domestic game in separate retrospectives. Čeh, who led Slovenia's national side during its qualification era under manager Srečko Katanec, spent over a decade as an assistant coach in Asia following his playing career. Despite his affinity for Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian club Grazer AK, Čeh expressed enduring respect for rival NK Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Ljubljana native Jan Mlakar has rejoined NK Maribor for a third spell. Addressing the upcoming derby against an Olimpija side facing domestic difficulties, Mlakar remarked that underdogs can benefit in traditional rivalries regardless of pre-match form, emphasizing his confidence in Maribor's squad environment.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net