Maribor vs Železničar Pančevo

Maribor, playing their second fixture of pre-season under returning manager Darko Milanič, started brightly at the training ground in Beltinci. Dario Vizinger tested the Železničar defence from the edge of the box inside five minutes, forcing a corner, and Žiga Repas drew a save from goalkeeper Popović in the 20th minute.

The Serbian visitors responded through Simao Pedro and Nikola Jovanović, who forced Ažbe Jug into two quick saves in the 23rd minute. Tine Čuk headed wide before half-time as the sides went in goalless.

The second half brought more chances. Isaac Tshipamba fired just over the crossbar from range in the 57th minute, and Ali Reghba tested substitute goalkeeper Miladinović with a 20-metre effort. Železničar struck the post through Jusif as the game opened up.

The deadlock broke in the 81st minute. Denis Videnović delivered a sharp cut-back from the right and Behar Feta, making his second debut for the club after rejoining from Aluminij, slotted home to put Maribor ahead.

Maribor's lead lasted barely 60 seconds. Aleksa Kuljanin burst down the right, saw his initial shot parried by substitute goalkeeper Tanej Handanović, and followed up to force the rebound over the line for 1-1.

The 60-second swing between Feta's opener and Kuljanin's equaliser summed up Maribor's pre-season pattern. After leading 3-1 against CSKA Sofia on 1 July only to concede twice and draw 3-3, Milanič's side failed to hold a lead for the second consecutive match. The simultaneous 61st-minute substitution of 10 outfield players — standard pre-season rotation — disrupted defensive cohesion at the critical moment.

Behar Feta (Maribor) — The Macedonian winger, back at Ljudski vrt after a loan spell at Aluminij, scored the opening goal and showed the sharp movement Milanič praised post-match. "He confirms his speed and playfulness," Milanič told the club website. "Importantly, he wants to be where he can score a goal."

Aleksa Kuljanin (Železničar Pančevo) — The Serbian striker's persistence after his initial save was parried earned his side a deserved draw. He had missed a similar chance earlier in the half.

Miha Blažič (Maribor) — The summer signing made his first appearance in a Maribor shirt, lasting 45 minutes before being withdrawn at half-time. Milanič noted the defender is still building match fitness after a longer break.

Maribor earned five corners to Železničar's six and received two yellow cards to the visitors' none — a reflection of the physical intensity of a pre-season friendly that was more competitive than a typical training run. The 0-0 half-time scoreline understates the action — both keepers were called into meaningful work before the break.

Maribor remain without a win in two pre-season friendlies under Milanič (D2), following the 3-3 draw with CSKA Sofia on 1 July. The performances have shown attacking intent — five goals in two matches — but defensive fragility in the closing stages is a concern with competitive fixtures approaching. Milanič's side face Charlton Athletic on 10 July in their next pre-season test before the 2026/27 Prva Liga campaign begins.

For Železničar Pančevo, the result represents a useful workout against Slovenian opposition as they continue their preparations for the Serbian SuperLiga season.

A tale of two quickfire goals that told the same story as Maribor's opening friendly: encouraging attacking play undone by a defensive lapse in the final 10 minutes. Feta's immediate impact is a genuine positive for Milanič, but the pattern of conceding late leads needs addressing before the real business begins.