After a poor start, an unreasonably better continuation: Primorje took the lead, Maribor celebrated a high victory, but it was Orphe Mbina who impressed the most
Photo: Žan Pak
Maribor responded in the best possible way to their recent exit from European competitions. Despite missing Arnela Jakupovića, their top scorer, the team did not falter in their match against Primorje. Both strikers found the net, leading to a crucial 4:1 victory for the Styrian giants, despite a poor start to the game.
Maribor’s struggles were evident at the beginning of the match in Ljudski vrt, prompting coach Ante Šimundža to make a substitution after just half an hour of play. At that point, Primorje was leading 1:0, and Šimundža seemed to pinpoint the issue with young Marcel Lorber, who was making his first start of the season but had to be substituted early on. It was clear that Šimundža was not satisfied…
However, the coach’s change yielded results. By the end of the first half, Maribor had turned the game around to lead 3:1. The opening goal came from Semir Smajlagić, who capitalized on a pass from Žan Bešir to beat the offside trap and score past Ažbet Jug. In response, Etienne Beugre, Orphe Mbina, and Gregor Sikošek scored for Maribor within a span of 11 minutes.
Beugre equalized with a precisely measured shot from the edge of the penalty area, Mbina scored his first goal with a header from Sikošek’s cross, and Sikošek then made it 3:1 with a deftly executed volley from a cross to the far post. The home fans, who had started the game with whistles, responded with applause as Maribor ended the first half in much better form.
The second half was more subdued. Both teams had some chances, with Ažbe Jug performing well for the home side. The final score of 4:1 was sealed by Orphe Mbina in stoppage time. He received a pass from Pijus Širvys in the penalty area, turned skillfully, and scored with another precise shot. Two goals and an assist—an outstanding performance from the forward, proving that Arnela Jakupovića was not missed at all…
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet