Olimpija goes to Murska Sobota, Victor Sanchez believes in the strength of his team: the goal in every game until the end of the year is clear – win!

Published on 24. November 2024 24. November 2024

Photo: Nik Moder / Sportida

Round 16 of Slovenia’s national championship will continue on Sunday, with the opening match kicking off at 3 PM. The fixture will feature a clash of old rivals as Mura hosts league leaders Olimpija. Victor Sanchez, the Dragons’ head coach, is confident his team can rise to the challenge in Murska Sobota, a venue where Ljubljana’s side has often faced difficulties in the past.

“Every international break is a welcome opportunity for our team. Initially, it provides rest—both physical and mental. We play a significant number of matches, always striving for victory, which inevitably brings pressure. Days off allow us to refresh. We are approaching a challenging period of winter games where the workload will increase, leading to a higher risk of injuries. So far, we are managing this well. We have no muscle problems at the moment, and I hope this continues,” Victor Sanchez explained on the club’s official website.

Radomlje Olimpija — Photo: Nik Moder / Sportida

The Spanish tactician further emphasized that Olimpija aims to win all remaining matches in 2024: “We approach every match the same way. They are all equally important. We still have three league games and three European fixtures ahead. Our goal is to win every one of them. This is the mindset we aim to maintain throughout the season in all three competitions.”

Despite Mura’s position outside the top of the standings, Victor Sanchez holds the Fazanerija side in high regard. “Before the season started, my limited knowledge of the league led me to expect larger disparities between Olimpija, Maribor, Celje, and the rest. However, the reality has been different from the very first round. Teams like Koper, Bravo, and Mura are highly competitive. Our Sunday opponents started the season well, hit a rough patch, but are still close. We respect Mura and anticipate a tough match in Murska Sobota, but our goal remains a win,” said Sanchez.

Victor Sanchez: “Antonio Marin is returning”

Olimpija faces some squad challenges at the end of the year, with young defenders Marcel Ratnik and Marko Ristić also experiencing issues during the international break. “When you play a large number of consecutive matches, it’s normal for some players to feel the effects. We are also dealing with minor knocks and overexertion, but fortunately, nothing major. Ratnik, Ristić, Kojić… these are players regularly involved in international competitions as well. The risk is always there, but everyone feels good and is ready for the match,” Sanchez reassured fans of the capital’s club.

The former Real Madrid player also addressed the situation of Pedro Lucas, who underwent surgery, and confirmed the return of Antonio Marin after a lengthy absence. “Smaller issues sometimes lead to bigger ones, like Pedro Lucas’s knee injury. He has successfully undergone surgery and faces a long rehabilitation, but we will stand by him. Similarly, Antonio Marin is returning after the same misfortune. He is a very important player for Olimpija, but we must approach his recovery cautiously and patiently. Antonio’s quality and talent are always an asset to the team. He is steadily increasing his workload and improving his endurance, although he’s not yet where we want him to be. He is progressing consistently. This past month has been like a preseason for him. Soon, he will start accumulating game time, and I’m confident he will be a key player for us in the second half of the season,” Sanchez concluded.