Interviews

Mlakar on target as Maribor chase top spot in Slovenia

Albion striker scores in 4-3 win and is enjoying his latest loan spell.

By Charlie Hanson • 10 November 2020

By NK Maribor
Jan Mlakar in action for NK Maribor.

Jan Mlakar was the only Albion player out on loan to start for their side and enjoy a win at the weekend as he scored in a 4-3 victory for NK Maribor.

The 22-year-old was on target against Domzale with Maribor finding an 85th minute goal to seal their fifth league victory of the campaign in the Slovenian Premier Division.

“I was worried at one point to be honest!” Mlakar said. “We went 3-2 behind and it's been  strange in recent games because it seemed every shot the opposition had was a goal.  

“But we stuck together on Saturday and we enjoyed it in the end. If the fans had with us in the stadium, it would have been crazy.

(Enjoy Jan's goal by pressing play on the video above from Maribor's official YouTube channel)

“The goal I scored was a quite good. The ball was passed into me and I controlled it before half-volleying it into the top corner from ten yards or so.”

That was the Slovenian under-21 international's second of the season and he is enjoying his latest loan spell having played limited football at Queens Park Rangers and Wigan Athletic last season.

“I missed a lot of football last year. Was it difficult? Yes and no. It was good because it was my first proper season in England and it was good for me to learn about the leagues here. But every player wants to play, it was hard in that sense because my game time wasn’t what I wanted.

“I set myself a target at the beginning of this year to score 20 goals and to win the Championship in Slovenia and the Cup. I am trying to be the best I can be. I know if I do that I can score a lot.

“I am happy here. We were knocked out of qualification for the Europa League just after I arrived so now we’re concentrating on domestic titles. We have changed manager so it has been quite eventful, but everything is coming together on the pitch and I am enjoying it, especially the last few games.”

The Slovenian PrvaLiga is tightly contested with Maribor, Koper and Mura all on 19 points after 11 matches – but Mura lead at this stage with the best head-to-head record.