Olimpija’s footballers, backed by the loud support of many green-and-white fans at Bonifika, fought their way back after going two goals down, but deep into stoppage time they were left empty-handed when the hosts scored from the penalty spot.

The Dragons’ head coach Federico Bessone said after the match in Koper: “In the first half we showed nothing. We gifted them the first goal, and the second was also the result of our mistake. Before that we had a chance to equalise when Dino Kojić headed his effort. Mitrovski and Marin also had chances.”

“In the second half we changed a few things, which is why we got back into the game. Mitrovski took a wonderful free kick, and even after equalising we kept pressing their goal. Unfortunately, in the end we made another mistake and gifted them a penalty that decided the match.”

“Of course, I spoke immediately with Inas Kukavica, who was involved in the penalty that was awarded, and also with Jurgen Celhaka, who made the mistake for the first goal. Look, we want to play, build from the back and take risks. If we make a mistake doing that, I don’t care. What matters is how many chances we create. We have to keep going. Inas made his debut for Olimpija today and will definitely get another opportunity in the future, because he’s a big talent with a bright future ahead of him.”