During Maribor’s preparations, teenagers Niko Grlić and Max Bilać are also present. Šimundža is searching for candidates who could potentially wear the senior team’s jersey in the future
Photo: Žan Pak
Maribor has begun preparations for the 2024/25 season. Coach Ante Šimundža greeted 27 players at Sunday’s dinner, but one fewer appeared for Monday’s training. Tine Čuk suffered a serious knee injury during a tournament in Italy. Following the upcoming surgery, he will rest for at least six months, possibly even longer. In his absence, the torch at training is carried by teenagers Niko Grlić and Max Bilać, both members of Maribor’s youth team.
Considering their participation in first-team training, it is irrelevant to speculate whether they have convinced Ante Šimundža with their performances in the previous season. However, being present at training is entirely different from making the team. Especially at their age. Nevertheless, Niko Grlić and Max Bilać, who is the son of former elite athletes Borut Bilać and Britta Bilać, have an excellent opportunity, and Ante Šimundža holds a high opinion of the 17-year-olds.
“Max Bilać possesses exceptional physical attributes, partly due to his parents. His quality and talent suggest that he could potentially fill a gap at center-back in the future,” commented Ante Šimundža about Max Bilać, who has previously trained with some German clubs, and continued: “Niko Grlić, on the other hand, has demonstrated in youth competitions that he deserves an opportunity, consistently performing at a high level in every match. These boys have an open path, and with hard work, they can aspire to knock on the door and impress the leaders at the football school, presenting candidates who could one day wear the first-team jersey as well.”
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
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