2012–13 NK Maribor season

Supercup

Main article: 2012 Slovenian Supercup

The 2012 Slovenian Supercup was the eighth edition of the Slovenian Supercup, an annual football match contested by the winners of the previous season's Slovenian PrvaLiga and Slovenian Cup competitions. However, Maribor has won the double during the 2011–12 season, having finished first in the 2011–12 Slovenian PrvaLiga and 2011–12 Slovenian Football Cup. As a consequence and according to the rules of the Football Association of Slovenia, they played the 2012 Supercup against the runners-up of the PrvaLiga, Olimpija. This was the first major domestic cup final of Olimpija, since the club was established in 2005. Maribor won the match 2–1 and secured their second supercup title.

Radujko Trifković Jović Mertelj
Ibraimi Colour key: Green = Maribor win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.

Slovenian League

Standings

Results summary

Results by round

Matches

Handanović Rajčević Vetrih

Komazec Bagarić

Kouter Fajić
Majer Ploj Komazec

Božič Sretenović Arghus Tavares

Tavares
Milec Potokar Husmani Zec Knezović

Ploj Črnic

Cvijanović Tavares Ploj

Bešić Kožar Berić Milec Cvijanović
Filipović Ploj

Berić Vidović

Đukić Čadikovski Žibert Majcen Blažič Mejač Tavares Trajkovski

Trajkovski Arghus Boakye Kramar Bohar

Rajčević Arghus Lesjak

Korun Tavares

Filipović Milec Rajčević Verbič Gobec Krajcer
Vrhovec

Berić Bubalović

Komazec Bingo

Mezga Mertelj Ibraimi Tavares

Rajčević Komazec Hadžić

Bohar Aborah Janža Cvijanović Mejač Komazec Handanović

Cvijanović Tavares Milec Mertelj Hotić Klemenčič Zolić

Zarifović Nikezić Trifković Božič Mertelj Arghus Handanović Ibraimi

Rajčević Balkovec
Vidmar Knezović

Vidmajer Srdić Tomažič Šeruga Gobec Berić Fajić

Milec Tavares Berić Podlogar

Topolovec Hodžurda Jeleč Potokar
Cvijanović

Fajić Arghus Ibraimi Viler Širok Bremec

Čovilo Mavrič Bradaschia Nenezič Berić Potokar

Cvijanović Filipović Milec Berić Šimić Vinko Rep

Stojnić Poplatnik Šmit Mezga Arghus Berić Smrekar

Cvijanović Berić
Tavares Mezga Handanović Lovrečič Fink
Omladič

Vuk

Potokar Tavares Cvijanović Bajić Vrhovec

Firer Stjepanović Jahič Eterović Črnčič

Tavares Kurež Colour key: Green = Maribor win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.

;Notes

• Note 1: The match was postponed to a later date due to bad pitch conditions.
• Note 2: The match was postponed to a later date due to Maribor's UEFA Europa League campaign.
• Note 3: All matches of the 25th round were postponed by one week due to snowfall. The match between Celje and Maribor was originally scheduled for 2 April 2013, but was postponed and rescheduled for 17 April 2013, once again due to snowfall.

Slovenian Cup

Murko A. Čeh Mezga Mejač Filipović Omladič Delamea Mlinar Džafić Milec Mezga Rajčević Viler Tavares Kapun Omladič Baskera Kovačević Šturm Đurković Ibraimi Mertelj Tavares Jelar Verbič Plesec Colour key: Green = Maribor win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.

;Notes

• Note 1: The match between Zavrč and Maribor was rescheduled from 19 September to 31 October 2012, as Maribor played their first match of the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League on 20 September.
• Note 2: The first leg of the quarter-final match between Olimpija and Maribor was originally scheduled on 23 February 2013. However, after starting on schedule, the match was suspended in the 24th minute due to heavy snowfall. The match was then rescheduled for 27 February, the date originally intended for the second leg match in Maribor.
• Note 3: The first leg of the semi-final was rescheduled from 10 April to 1 May 2013 due to rescheduling of the matches in the Slovenian PrvaLiga.
• Note 4: The second leg of the semi-final was rescheduled from 17 April to 8 May 2013 due to rescheduling of the matches in the Slovenian PrvaLiga.

European campaign

UEFA Champions League

Qualified as the 2012–13 Slovenian PrvaLiga champions, Maribor started their European campaign in the second qualifying round of the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League against Bosnian Premier League champions Željezničar. This was the first meeting in UEFA competitions between Maribor and a team from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first leg was played at Ljudski vrt, the home of Maribor. The match started poorly for the home side as shortly after the missed scoring opportunity from Agim Ibraimi, Maribor soon found themselves a goal behind when Eldin Adilović scored the opener in the 15th minute. Maribor then took control and tried to score an equalizer before half time, however, they were unsuccessful and the score was 1–0, in favour of the Bosnian side, at the 45 minute mark. Maribor dominated during the second half and was able to capitalize on their chances. Berić scored the first goal for the home side in the 47th minute, with Dejan Mezga adding the second one in the 67th, from penalty. Berić, who was man of the match, scored his second goal in the 76th minute, giving his side a 3–1 lead. He did not stop there as in the 90th minute he assisted team captain Marcos Tavares, who scored his first goal of the season, for the final score 4–1. The second leg was played a week later in Sarajevo and was followed by over 500 Maribor supporters. Željezničar plays their home matches at Grbavica Stadium, however, their stadium did not meet UEFA stadia criteria and they were forced to play at Asim Ferhatović Hase Olympic stadium. The home side needed a three goals victory to progress to the next round and had couple of chances to score early in the match, including a disallowed goal from Adilović who was in offside position. Their plans for an early lead were shattered, however, when Ibraimi scored from a long range effort in the 20th minute, which was the only goal during the first half. Second half started poorly for the Bosnians when Čolić received his second booking and was subsequently sent off. Željezničar bounced back in the 59th minute when Josip Kvesić scored an equalizer. However, soon afterwards the nervous home players received two red cards in a matter of minutes and had to finish the match with only eight players. Maribor then prevailed, took the ball possession and finished the match with the goal from Tavares, for the final score of the match 2–1, and 6–2 aggregate.[[File:Maribor v Dudelange 2012.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The match between Maribor and Dudelange attracted a crowd of 12,025.]]

In the third qualifying round, Maribor faced Dudelange from Luxembourg, a team which made a big upset by eliminating Austrian champions Salzburg. This was the second year in a row for Maribor to face Dudelange. During the 2011–12 season Maribor played against them in the second qualifying round of the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League and was successful with two victories and the score 5–1 aggregate. The first match against the Luxembourg champions was played on 1 August 2012 at Ljudski vrt. Being fully aware that a two-legged victory over Dudelange secures, at least, the UEFA Europa League group stages, Maribor players started their home match strong and quickly took the lead with a free kick goal by Mezga. Another free kick goal followed in the 38th minute when Mezga left the ball to Tavares who scored with a strong shot to the lower left corner, for the half-time score 2–0. It took only two minutes of the second half for the home players to score the third goal, when Mezga scored another long range effort from outside of the penalty box. In the 77th minute Berić continued his good form, having scored his third goal in as many 2012–13 UEFA qualifying matches. This goal was not the last, however, as Aurélien Joachim took advantage of a mistake from Aleksander Rajčević and scored in the 92nd minute for the final score of 4–1. One week later, Maribor again proved too strong for the Luxembourg champions and won 1–0, with the goal by Aleš Mertelj in the 79th minute. Similarly to the 2011–12 season, Maribor again secured two victories over Dudelange with an aggregate score of 5–1.[[File:Dinamo Zagreb v Maribor.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Dinamo Zagreb and Maribor moments before the start of the match on 22 August 2012]]

For the play-off round of the UEFA Champions League, Maribor was drawn against Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb. This was the second time the two clubs have met in the UEFA competitions, having faced each other during the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League qualifying stages, when Dinamo secured a close 2–1 aggregate victory. The first leg was played at Stadion Maksimir in front of 20,135 spectators, over 1,000 of which were Maribor supporters, a record for the most fans gathered on Maribor's away matches at the time. Dinamo were the favorites and took an early lead with a goal by Duje Čop. Dinamo continued to play well and had couple of more chances, but it was Maribor who scored the second goal, from an own goal scored by Dinamo's captain Milan Badelj. Both teams had chances to take the lead in the second half, and in the 74th minute, Dinamo regained the lead with a goal from Badelj. Shortly afterwards, Maribor's Berić had a good chance to equalize, but was unsuccessful. Right at the end, Sammir had a chance to increase the lead for the home team, however, his free-kick attempt narrowly missed the target. The second leg match in Maribor was attended by 12,420 spectators, the highest of the 2012–13 season. Dinamo, however, proved again to be too strong and after taking another early lead, they comfortably held the result until the end, with couple of good chances to increase the lead. Dinamo thus won 3–1 on aggregate and advanced to the Champions league group stages for the second successive season. Despite the defeat, Maribor made it to the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.

Second qualifying round

Report Mezga Rajčević Tavares Svraka Kerla Bogičević Jamak

Report Bešlija Zolotić Adilović Kvesić Stanić Svraka
Bekrić Potokar Tavares Colour key: Green = Maribor win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.

Third qualifying round

Report Tavares Rajčević Berić Hug Da Mota Melisse Joachim

Report Steinmetz Mertelj Potokar Colour key: Green = Maribor win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.

Play-off round

Report Ademi Vida Leko Badelj
Šimunić Badelj

Report Arghus Tavares Ademi Badelj Vida Colour key: Green = Maribor win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.

;Notes

• Note 1: Željezničar played their home match at Asim Ferhatović Hase Stadium in Sarajevo, as their own Grbavica Stadium did not meet UEFA criteria.

UEFA Europa League

Group J

Report Ibraimi
Tavares Spyropoulos
Velázquez

Report Ederson Vidović

Report Mezga Naughton

Report Bale Carroll Berić

Report Mertelj Arghus

Report Tavares Radu Floccari Cavanda Ciani Colour key: Green = Maribor win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.

Friendlies

Tavares Cvijanović
Črnic Mezga Dodlek
Črnic
Velikonja Črnic Tavares
Berić
Kek
Ibraimi Karamatić Čomor Kobakhidze Fedotov Komazec
Ploj
Vidović
Berić Cvijanović
Komazec
Črnic
Milec
Komazec
Mezga
Smrekar
Hotić
Šauperl
Milec
Rep
Arghus Berić Tavares
Mertelj
Smrekar
Moravac
Milec
Berić
Mevlja
Fajić
Hozjan Tavares
Ouédraogo Smrekar Berić Berić
Potokar Třešňák Fajić
Tavares
Lesjak
Berić
Colour key: Green = Maribor win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.

Squad statistics

Key

;Players

• No. = Shirt number
• Pos. = Playing position
• GK = Goalkeeper
• DF = Defender
• MF = Midfielder
• FW = Forward ;Nationality
• Bosnia and Herzegovina = Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil = Brazil
• Croatia = Croatia
• Macedonia = Macedonia
• Serbia = Serbia
• Slovenia = Slovenia ;Competitions
• Apps = Appearances
• = Yellow card
• = Red card

Appearances and goals

Correct as of 29 May 2013, end of the 2012–13 season. Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. The players squad numbers, playing positions, nationalities and statistics are based solely on match reports in Matches sections above and the official website of NK Maribor and the Slovenian PrvaLiga. Only the players, which made at least one appearance for the first team, are listed.

Discipline

Correct as of 29 May 2013, end of the 2012–13 season. Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. The players squad numbers, playing positions, nationalities and statistics are based solely on match reports in Matches sections above and the official website of NK Maribor and the Slovenian PrvaLiga. If a player received two yellow cards in a match and was subsequently sent off the numbers count as two yellow cards, one red card.

Transfers and loans

Summer transfer window

Winter transfer window

Footnotes

• Knockout matches which were decided on penalty kicks are listed as a draw.
• Olimpija was officially selected as the home team during the 2012 Slovenian Supercup, with a draw. The Slovenian Supercup is, however, traditionally played at the stadium of the previous year league champions and the 2012 final was played at the Ljudski vrt stadium in Maribor, the home of NK Maribor. Thus, the match is listed as being played at home.
• Mezga holds a dual citizenship of Croatia and Slovenia.
• Arghus holds a dual citizenship of Brazil and Italy.

References

References

1. "Statistični pregled 2012–13". [[Slovenian PrvaLiga]].
2. "Analiza lestvice – 2012–13". [[Slovenian PrvaLiga]].
3. "Tekma v Domžalah preložena". [[NK Maribor]] official website.
4. T.G.. (26 March 2013). "Sneg prestavil 25. krog Prve lige za en teden". [[RTV Slovenija]].
5. R.K.. (2 April 2013). "Padavine vnovič preprečile obračune slovenske nogometne lige". [[Radiotelevizija Slovenija.
6. (18 September 2012). "Pokalni boji med tednom". [[Football Association of Slovenia]].
7. (23 February 2013). "Foto: Po 25 minutah v Stožicah zmagal sneg". [[RTV Slovenija]].
8. (2 April 2013). "25. krog prestavljen, prestavljeni tudi pokalni dvoboji". [[Football Association of Slovenia]].
9. (14 June 2012). "Aleš Majer nov član Mure". [[ND Mura 05]].
10. (22 June 2012). "Nikola Komazec 3 leta v vijoličastem". [[NK Maribor]].
11. "Prestopi v 1. SNL za sezono 2012/2013".
12. (12 July 2012). "Velikonja iz Maribora odhaja v Cardiff City". [[RTV Slovenija]].
13. (24 September 2012). "Nejc Mevlja v vijoličastem do 2015". [[NK Maribor]].
14. Kuhar, Smiljan. (August 2025). "Fajić okrepil Maribor, bo naslednji Bohar?".
15. (7 December 2012). "Fajić in Smrekar v Ljudskem vrtu". [[NK Maribor]].
16. (24 January 2013). "Matic Črnic k Aluminiju". [[NK Maribor]].
17. (31 January 2013). "Še pet posojenih igralcev". [[NK Maribor]].
18. (15 February 2013). "Komazec se seli na Tajsko". [[NK Maribor]].
19. "Mezga brez statusa tujca". [[NK Maribor]] official website.
20. "Tretji Brazilec v LV". [[NK Maribor]] official website.