Maribor’s Europa League trip to Belgium saw them lose 2-0 to a Club Brugge side that never looked like giving anything away. Goals from Vadis Odjidja and Nabil Dirar settled the tie for the home side before a quarter of the match had been played. A robust tackle from Aleksander Rajčević saw the Maribor player dismissed in the 85th minute, but in truth Maribor had rarely looked like getting anything from the match. As recently revealed skilled purveyors of knock-out football, the Viola must wish that the old format of the UEFA cup had been retained after the chastening night in Flanders. Five matches of the Group stage remain for them to prove something on this stage; don’t discount a surprise result or two on the way.
The ninth round, and the one quarter played mark of the Prva Liga was played over the weekend. The returning Maribor side were held to a 2:2 draw with a Koper side seemingly setting up home in the lower reaches of the league table. Raised eyebrows all-round. Nafta’s ‘all-points must go’ summer sale continued as they were beaten at home by Rudar Velenje, leaving them languishing at the bottom and seemingly destined to give up their place as Prekmurje’s representatives to the resilient newcomers Mura. Mura themselves took three points away to a Celje team that seems unable to ‘get their shizzle together’ this season. Celje drop to eighth, completing the triptych of failure. Gorica and Triglav shared a goalless draw, while the televised match saw Olimpija beat Domžale 3:1 in the closest this league season will get to a proper derby. The result sees Olimpija climb back to second, only three points behind Maribor.
Tonight sees Domžale host Rudar, and is televised on Šport TV in Slovenia at 20:00.
Tomorrow’s fixtures:
Celje v. Olimpija (TV 18:00)
Nafta v. Triglav (20:00)
Koper v. Mura (20:00)
Gorica v. Maribor (20:00)
Goli Gol (the Naked Goal) 