Interesting will the battle for the title be after the derby in Stožice? Olimpija is chasing Celje, which, with a victory, could once again open the highway to the laurels

Published on 2. March 2024 2. March 2024

Photo: Nik Moder / Sportida

The match Aluminij – Mura (2:0) kicked off the 24th round of the Slovenian PrvaLiga on Friday, and it will continue on Saturday with two matches. The first one, a true derby and a clash at the top of the table, will start at 3:00 PM – Olimpija will host Celje, and if the Ljubljana team takes advantage of their home ground and secures a victory, the battle for the title will be wide open again.

Celje, heading to Stožice, where statistically they perform well, is facing this match with a 7-point lead. A win would, therefore, pave the way for them to the trophy. However, a loss would bring Olimpija just four points away from the position they held at the end of the previous season.

“I have emphasized many times what an important match this is. We are all aware of that. We will do everything to keep the victory at home. We will certainly show our true face and courage. I am optimistic, but I realize it will be very difficult. Tough matches are coming, and now it will be revealed what we are made of. I believe we will prove that we are a real team. It is undoubtedly easier to go into a game when you are on a winning streak, but derbies are a special story. On Saturday, we play against the top team, which has also shown consistency so far. I repeat, it will be tough, but I believe in my boys and in the final victory,” emphasized Zoran Zeljković before the match with Štajerci, hoping and believing that there will be more spectators in Stožice than before.

Zoran Zeljković Photo: Nik Moder / Sportida

At Olimpija, just like at Celje, all players have the right to play, but the green and whites will once again be without winter reinforcement, Antonio Marin. The Croatian recently suffered a severe injury, but Olimpija did not particularly miss him in the match against Aluminij, also thanks to the contribution of Marko Brest, who is playing better and better in the club’s jersey.

Olimpija is a thorn in Krznar’s side

Damir Krznar can be happy that Aljoša Matko is returning to good form, but he will especially wish that his players will play a better game than in the previous round, where they surprisingly lost away against Domžale.

“We are in a quite demanding situation, three demanding matches are ahead of us, but at the same time, they offer us an excellent opportunity to show the real character and true strength of our team. I believe 100% in my players,” emphasized Damir Krznar before the match with Olimpija, who had a lot of trouble with them as the coach of Maribor. After all, he even lost to them in the cup final. If he had won then, his career might have taken a completely different turn…

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Damir Krznar Photo: Nik Moder / Sportida

The second Saturday match in the Prva Liga Telemach will start at 5:30 PM, and in Ljudski vrt, Maribor and Domžale will face each other. The twentieth round will conclude on Sunday with the matches Koper – Rogaška (3:00 PM) and Radomlje – Bravo (5:30 PM).

This text was automatically translated using AI.

Author: editorial Football Planet