The match will be played on Wednesday at 20.45 in front of more than 12.000 football fans. Coach Ante Šimundža won't be able to count on his central defender Marko Šuler, who received the red light to play from the team's doctors. Slovenia's football champions will begin their campaign in Group G with a match against Sporting, who are the pre-match favourites to win. However the Violets promise to fight and possibly evrn surprise the 18-time Portuguese champions.
Tavares: A privilege for the players and for the club
"Playing in the Champions League is a great privilege, both for the players and for the club. It's what we've all wanted and been waiting for. Our coach says that we're both physically and mentally well prepared. We will do everything we can to win and get the three points. I know that it will be a tough match, but it will be easier with our fans by our side," is what captain Marcos Tavares said at the press-conference at Ljudski Vrt.
The experienced forward stressed that Maribor always goes into a match to win, and that it would be no different on Wednesday. "I'm not thinking about our opponent, I'm only thinking about our team. All the players are motivated and focused on tomorrow's match. We train at a high level, and it's all pointing in the direction that we do have a chance for success," added Tavares.
Relaxed but ready for the dynamic Portuguese
Coach Šimundža had a calm face at the press-conference. Exactly 15 years ago he scored Maribor's first ever goal in the Champions League, which led to Maribor's sensational win against Dynamo in Kiev. "Our preparations for the match have a normal rhythm. We're focused on our European challenge. The players are physically and mentally well prepared. They're relaxed but also aware of the importance and quality of this competition. We'll be at a very high level at tomorrow's match." predicted the 42-year-old native of Maribor.
"Sporting from Lisbon is a team that has all the characteristics of Portuguese football. It's an extremely aggressive and solid team which is also a very dynamic and forward oriented team. Of course the team has its pluses and minuses, which I will reveal only to my players," is what Šimundža said about Maribor's first opponent in Group G.
Financially at the bottom, regarding work and effort at the top
The fact that NK Maribor is a financial dwarf among Europe's elite clubs (Sporting, for example, is around 10 times more expensive), doesn't bother coach Šimundža. "Financially we are at the bottom, however regarding hard work and effort we're at the top. So that doesn't concern us. It only motivates us," says Šimundža, who has already chosen his starting eleven.
T. Gr.; translated by K. J.
