Žiga Repas attributes Maribor’s derby defeat against Celje to a bad pitch: “It was impossible to play on the ground after the midfield”
Photo: Luka Vovk / Sportida
The conditions are always the same for both teams, but it’s true that some adapt more easily while others struggle with a poor playing surface. Maribor faced significant challenges with the pitch in Celje on Wednesday, which was acknowledged by midfielder Žiga Repas after the 1:2 defeat.
“The match took a toll on us and required proper recovery. The pitch was poor for both teams. In the middle, it was really impossible to play on the ground. It’s a shame; the fans were deprived of better football since both teams are capable of playing well,” Repas lamented on the club’s website. He added that the blame for the loss shouldn’t be placed solely on the conditions: “We should have adapted to the circumstances, and the reasons for the defeat must primarily be sought within our own ranks. What happened in Celje, we need to quickly forget. We are used to the rhythm of two matches in one week, and I believe everything will be okay on Sunday in Lendava. Above all, I hope for a different outcome.”
However, in Lendava, “everything will be okay” only if Maribor can perform better. Nafta may not be as dangerous as Celje, but the Prekmurje side has already shown they can play well and upset many teams. “We have to admit that in the first half, we were not at our best. Celje was better; we were too passive in our block, too far from the players, and we lost too few balls. In the second half, we turned it around; we dominated the pitch, scored a goal, and had several more chances that we didn’t take. We should have scored again to decide the match. Then, after our mistake, we conceded a goal and lost,” Repas described the difficulties that plagued Maribor in the princedom.
The former Domžale player concluded: “The problem was in defense, in the block. When we were too passive, the opponents took advantage. This was evident later in the match when we managed to thwart their attempts with a different level of determination. We were dangerous in attack, but defensive errors repeated themselves. The issue isn’t about quality but more about psychological factors. Once we resolve this, we will be more convincing and successful in terms of results.“
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
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