Rui Pedro not a concern for Maribor’s coach, Ante Šimundža emphasized: ‘How can Olimpija stop Jakupović, Kolar, Iličić?
Photo: NK Maribor
Nedelja will be the day for the second eternal derby of the season. The first one was won by Olimpija at Stožice, while on the second, Maribor will try to avenge their rival at Ljudski vrt. In football, the path to success lies, of course, in defense, and the defenders of Maribor face a tough task. Olimpija has the league’s top scorer, but Ante Šimundža doesn’t dwell too much on how to deal with Rui Pedro.
“How can we stop Rui Pedro? How can they stop Jakupović, Kolar, Iličić? Efficiency can only be gained through training. However, a team always outshines an individual, so at Olimpija, it’s not just Rui Pedro who poses a threat,” emphasized Ante Šimundža at the last press conference before the clash in the Styrian capital.
Ante Šimundža: “Something More”
Regarding expectations related to the visit of guests from Ljubljana, Ante Šimundža added: “We know it’s the biggest derby in Slovenia; regardless of the position in the standings, it’s always a derby. I expect a good atmosphere and a match that means a lot in the eyes of the fans. However, our focus is on ourselves. We need to stay calm, identify the opponent’s weaknesses, and leverage our strengths. Our goal is to make the opponent uncomfortable in Ljudski vrt. And usually, they do not feel good there. Once again, our goal is for Olimpija not to feel comfortable here.”
Can Maribor celebrate? Three points are the clear goal for the Purples. “All derbies in the world have that extra element in the eyes of fans and media. However, three points count. From a psychological standpoint, this is undoubtedly an important game for us. It’s crucial for the players to perceive it as a match where we’ll be the Maribor we want to be. In the derby, we must be what we always strive to be. From me to the last player,” added Ante Šimundža
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet