Maribor travels to Gibraltar for juniors’ European baptism of fire: three cadets on the road, including hot Tian Nai Koren
Photo: NK Maribor
While the senior team is fully focused on league duties, the youth players of NK Maribor have already shifted their attention to their first European challenge of the new season. Radovan Karanović, who recently took over the coaching role from Dejan Dončić, took his squad to Gibraltar on Monday morning. The young violets will face Lincoln Red Imps FC on Wednesday at 18:30 in the first of two matches in the youth Champions League.
Radovan Karanović has taken 23 players on the trip, including three members of the cadet team. Among them, 15-year-old Tian Nai Koren will be a candidate for a spot. He has been in exceptional form this season, scoring 10 goals in six matches. Also joining from the cadet team are Nejc Viher and Vid Novak. The full squad traveling includes Doroshenko, Handanović, Antonič (goalkeepers), Meško, Rasheed, Kramberger, Novak, Mikluš Senekovič, Schaubach, Žavbi, Viher, Sinković, Osterc, Roze, Lorbek, Koren, Videnović, Rabič, Antič Kurbus, Vogrinčič, Podlesnik, and Rožič Šuligoj.
“Due to the demanding and very specific journey to Gibraltar, we left two days earlier. It is a new and different competitive challenge. This will be a new experience for the majority of the boys. The opponent represents an unknown, as it was not easy to obtain proper footage for a thorough analysis. We will rely on the knowledge and information we have gained and trust in our own abilities. We want to present ourselves in the best possible way in the first match and secure a good starting position for the return leg at home in two weeks,” Radovan Karanović told the club’s website.
The former first team coach, who was also the national champion, added: “I am glad to be back on the bench after almost two years off, during which my role as the technical director provided me with new, valuable insights and helped in a certain ‘reset’ of my previous work. The feelings were very pleasant, especially with the realization that we won a very challenging match against Rudar. As usual, the Velenje team was very motivated, but the boys were focused throughout the match and deserve praise for their performance. Given our positive streak in the league, we want to continue it in international competition, which would further boost the players’ confidence. The boys have an excellent work ethic and dedication in training. We will give due respect to our opponents, as last year’s qualification experience shows that a team aiming for progression must operate at a high level.”
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
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