Maribor's sporting director Zlatko Zahovič feels on edge, as the Purple can still classify in the 1/16 of the finals of the Europa football League. A win against Wigan is a must, but not enough – Rubin needs to win in Belgium as well.

"I will tell you a small secret. I always manage to find a spot from where I can observe the opponents' training, although I am not supposed to. You can see a lot during training, and then it is easier to prepare your strategy," said Zahovič about his tasks on the evening before the important matches.

Does the positive grade for the year, or better for the half of the season, depend on the tonight's match against Wigan?
No, because this year we won everything that can be won in the Slovenian space, and made a step forward in Europe. Of course, this match could bring us even more; a victory could keep us in Europe through winter and thus improve our Uefa club ranking coefficient, which would bring great benefits in the next year's Champions League.

The stadium surroundings are in festive anticipation, as Maribor celebrates its 53rd birthday. The duel with the English is an icing on the cake, but you don't get to decide your destiny by yourselves.
It is true, the decision is not in our hands only, but for the first time in the history of the Slovenian club football the final match is decisive for the winter stay in Europe. Considering the investments in the Slovenian football, that is a great achievement – we are competing with teams with much larger budgets. Up till now we have won four points, we equalled the last season's result, but we would like to improve it. Each defeat of Maribor is considered a tragedy, and each victory something normal. People get accustomed to European victories and then expect us to keep winning, without considering that the other teams make progress as well. It is unrealistic to expect victories only, every three days! We are interested in the final goal: to win everything that can be won in the Slovenian space, and to get the results in Europe as until now.

In summer Darko Milanič decided for Sturm, although he had already prepared the programme for preparations for the new season. That was one of the most important reasons for your dissatisfaction with his decision to leave. Are Agim Ibraimi and Robert Berić more sorely missed than it seems from far?
We are professionals, and there is no place for hard feelings in professionalism. The decision was his to make. We wish him best luck. He left his stamp on Maribor, and he invested in future as well, and for that the club is grateful. Every year we are forced to sell our best players to assure the existence of the club. It is very difficult to achieve the same results, but we manage. Our professional management is expected to work not only for the present, but for future as well. It is understandable that the results occasionally suffer because of that. Regardless of all the changes and departures Maribor stays at the leading position in Slovenia, and is successful in Europe, which is not easy. Our experts deserve all the praise they get.

What can Gorica of today bring to Slovenian football, as the Roses are a kind of subsidiary of the Italian first division team Parma?
A very big problem. The Gorica leadership at the moment reacted, in their opinion, in a positive manner. But if all the clubs did the same, who would be at disposal of national selectors for young, and adult teams? I believe it will happen again to other clubs, and that will cause problems. The Slovenian Football Association is probably already considering a way to prevent such development, and is preparing distinct rules on how many Slovenian football players should play, or begin the match. In the opposite case I am very worried for Slovenian football.

What about Zavrč? Refreshing? A one hit wander?
Both, in my opinion. A very pleasant surprise, yet long-term everything else is very questionable, as a club should never depend on one person only. I highly respect the president Miran Vuk, I consider his work excellent, but in the past he had some bad moments and led Zavrž from the second to the fifth league. It could always happen again, and that's not good. But presently Zavrč is in a very good position. I wish them to continue in the same manner.

Did you really mean what you said years ago, that Srečko Katanec could be Maribor's trainer – in spite of the conflict you had 11 and a half years ago in South Korea?
I did mean it, and there is no doubt about it. He received an official invitation as well.

You hold the record in the Slovenian national team with 80 appearances, and 35 goals. Boštjan Cesar is getting closer in number of appearances (he is still behind your record for 7), while the second record won't be easy to break.
I think I have been the first shooter of the national team for too long. That's not good. The time has come for new heroes. I represent the positive past of the national team. It would be very good for the Slovenian football if somebody new surpassed my achievement. I have no reason to consider the position of national selector; I am very satisfied at the moment, and I am quite occupied with the work for our club.

The memories of your career as a football player won't fade soon. You played a couple of exceptional seasons. With Porto you were the best shooter of the first part of the Champions League, with Valencia you played in the finals… Do you look back?
I am not nostalgic, and don't think of the past very often. I am more interested in the future, and in the present, in Maribor Football Club and in the success we have. The others can talk about the past, we will do our best to make the future beautiful.