Ante Šimundža congratulated Olimpija and Celje after their departure from Europe, but at the same time emphasized: “Maribor continues to be the flag bearer of Slovenia in Europe”

Published on 30. August 2024 30. August 2024

Foto: Žan Pak

For the seventh consecutive time, Maribor has been knocked out of European qualifiers. The memory of the last autumn in Europe is fading more and more, and they will have to wait at least another year for a new international adventure at Ljudski vrt. This year’s dreams ended in the final round of qualifying for the Conference League, where Djurgarden proved too strong of an opponent. The Swedes defeated Maribor twice, both times with a score of 1:0. Ante Šimundža claims that the primary European goal was achieved, while emphasizing that the league championship is the main goal for Maribor.

“It’s very simple. They scored once in both matches, and we didn’t score at all. This time we conceded an early goal, and then also a red card. It was just one of those games… We need to be honest and congratulate the opponent, but we can always look back. In both matches, we were too ineffective,” said Ante Šimundža after the match at Ljudski vrt, where 8,150 spectators gathered.

“The foundation was laid from a mental perspective. The early goal directed the game in the opponent’s favor. The first half was dominant for us. We had three good chances, while the opponent had none during that period. But we didn’t score, and then in the 60th minute, the game definitively turned in their favor. We tried with two strikers, trying to salvage what we could. The issue is that we face situations that make it hard for us to react,” continued Ante Šimundža, who was replaced on the sidelines by Damjan Ošlaj due to a ban. Would things have been different if he could have managed the team from the bench? “I think that’s very populist. After the first match, I said that I have colleagues who managed the game at a high level. We have our issues, which we are aware of, as well as our strengths. I don’t believe my presence would have changed anything.”

Ante Šimundža: “The Main Goal is the National Championship”

The coach of the Štajers continued with the thought that Maribor is still “the flagbearer of Slovenia” in Europe, even though they were the only Slovenian club on Thursday not to make it to the group stage of the Conference League. “My goal was the Conference League play-offs. We achieved that and played eight European matches. Of course, once we got that far, we wanted to advance to the group stage. Regardless, our main goal remains the national championship. Otherwise… I congratulate Celje and Olimpija for their European autumn. How many times has Maribor played in the autumn? Six times, and how many times have the others? We are still the flagbearer. But things are changing, and we need progress,” Ante Šimundža is aware that old glory doesn’t last forever.

Will the title fight be easier because Maribor’s main competitors will play six European matches? “If that makes the league easier for us, it doesn’t matter. We need to sort out our issues and achieve the goals we’ve set for ourselves,” responded Ante Šimundža in his typical fashion.

This text was automatically translated using AI.

Author: editorial Football Planet