The people of Maribor have also started preparations on the field: Ante Šimundža has a plan without Josip Iličić; they will play six matches during the preparatory period
Photo: Žan Pak
Although it’s only the first day of the new season in Maribor, there has been quite a buzz at Ljudski vrt. From the initial training session and press conference to farewells. However, the Purple & Whites appeared on the field just as they ended the season. Smiling, relaxed, and connected, the players conducted part of the first training session indoors due to the initial weather inconvenience.
Before arriving on the field for practice, Aleks Pihler appeared at the stadium, as it’s customary, to bid farewell to his former teammates with whom he spent a significant part of his career. The head coach of the team, Ante Šimundža, also has his opinion about Pihler’s departure. “Regarding Aleks, I’ve always said he’s a guy who gave something to Maribor, and the club to him, especially his career was influenced by that injury. I believe, given his character, he’ll find a new environment in which he’ll be successful. The direction simply shifted towards finding a different profile player than him. Of course, we’re not always all satisfied, not everything is positive, but considering his experience, I believe he’ll find a place where he can continue playing for some time.”
From yesterday’s gathering, the talented youngster Tine Čuk was absent due to injury, facing a long recovery period, which Šimundža views from various perspectives. “Tine Čuk unfortunately got injured at the tournament in Italy and will be out of action for eight months. Injuries are, unfortunately, a part of sports. When something like this happens, we also need to look for positive aspects. Tine will now have plenty of time, also for analyzing his matters. The transition from youth to senior competition is always the most demanding, and this intermediate period might benefit him in this regard. Of course, we regret that he’s not here.”
Similarly, absences due to national team duties are noted under the Pyramid. We’re, of course, talking about Pijus Širvys and Josip Iličić. The former will join the team next week in Moravske Toplice, where the reigning national runners-up will stay until June 28th, before their first official match scheduled in a month. The latter will embark on a journey with the national team, something he undoubtedly deserves considering his successful career.
Šimundža: “Looking for Iličić in someone else doesn’t make sense”
“We have a plan. We need to react accordingly. We must not be petty or unprofessional in this segment, so we’re considering a game model with him or without him because looking for Iličić in someone else doesn’t make sense, as every copy is worse than the original, which means we need to adapt to this matter,” the returnee to the national team is contemplated by the 52-year-old, who adds about his performances: “Of course, I’m happy, as I met him here when he was still a young lad, while I was still an assistant, and we remained in touch throughout his entire career, but I would touch on the entire national team here, meaning if the national team excelled in these two matches, I would be concerned because the European Championship for us starts only on Sunday and that’s when we start competing. For me, Josip was very good on the field in these two matches in terms of running, and his quality certainly adds weight to the Slovenian national team. But most of all, I’m happy for him to do what he loves again and what he does best.”
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
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