The first official match of this season against Kairat from Almaty ended with a 1:1 result. The Dragons will seek victory in the aggregate score of the first round of Champions League qualifications in Kazakhstan. Despite Olimpija not securing an advantage before the return match, head coach Jorge Simão was satisfied with the performance:

“I was more satisfied with the performance than with the result. We played a good match and did what we agreed upon. Perhaps we made mistakes in two or three situations – especially when we failed to stop the counterattack from which we conceded the goal. Kairat created opportunities mainly due to our mistakes. But I said before the match that the return leg would decide advancement, regardless of what happens today.”

About expectations before the return match, he added:

“I expect the opponent to approach the return match differently, and we will have to adapt our strategy accordingly. The match will be a different story – they will want to show their qualities, and we will have to respond appropriately.”

Olimpija faces a long journey east in the coming days. The return match will be on Tuesday in Almaty, starting at 5 PM Slovenian time. The first round of the Telemach First League is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, at 8:15 PM in Stožice. Tickets are available at: shop.nkolimpija.si.