A football spectacle awaits as Borac Banja Luka takes on Olimpija Ljubljana tonight in the first leg of the Conference League knockout round playoff. The red-and-blue squad is eager to achieve another historic milestone.
The excitement surrounding one of Borac’s most significant matches is palpable, with tickets for the European clash at the City Stadium long sold out.
Determined to write a new chapter in club history, head coach Mladen Žižović assures that the team is fully prepared for the two-legged tie against the Slovenian representative.
Unlike the fans and the general public, Žižović remains composed, avoiding grand statements and promises. Instead, he insists on keeping the team calm and focused for the full 90 minutes.
“We’ve analyzed our opponent’s play down to the finest details, and we will try to exploit their weaknesses to secure a positive result,” said Žižović.
Borac will be without Damir Hrelja and Amer Hiroš for this match. However, Enver Kulašin emphasizes that motivation is at its peak, and the team is ready to seize this historic opportunity in front of their home crowd.
Meanwhile, Olimpija’s squad held their first training session at the City Stadium. At the pre-match press conference, a large number of Slovenian journalists attended, many of whom consider Olimpija the favorite in this tie.
“If people think we are the favorites, we have to prove it on the field. We must show we are the better team and win. Borac has earned its place in the playoff, winning matches and proving to be a strong team. We expect their best performance, and we will have to counter them and achieve a positive result,” stated Viktor Sánchez, head coach of Olimpija.
The Olimpija coach anticipates a tough match, with both teams equally motivated.
“We expect the best version of Borac. They have been playing well since the start of the season, putting in strong performances in both Champions League and Europa League qualifiers. We anticipate a highly competitive match. They are solid defensively and dangerous on the counterattack. The key will be to neutralize their transition game, as they have very fast players and a strong attacking threat,” added Sánchez.
The match in Banja Luka kicks off at 21:00. A packed City Stadium is expected, with around 1,000 Olimpija supporters also set to attend.
Source: RTRS
