Maribor's group stage memories

After a 15-year absence from the UEFA Champions League group stage, NK Maribor return for the second time in their history, hoping to make waves against the big guns in Group G.

Sporting Clube de Portugal are first up for the Slovenian champions, who will be hoping to kick off in the same way as in their previous campaign, something coach Ante Šimundža remembers well. Then, as a player for the Purples, he scored the only goal of the game at FC Dynamo Kyiv in the group opener to write a famous passage in the history of the club.

The Stadion Ljudski vrt seemed destined to see the side pick up their first home point as they held Bayer 04 Leverkusen until the 83rd minute on matchday two only to concede twice late on. Then came a pair of 4-0 defeats to then UEFA Cup Winners' Cup holders SS Lazio which ended hopes of advancing. A late Serhiy Rebrov penalty gained revenge for Dynamo in Maribor's penultimate game – a 2-1 home loss – but the side ended with pride, holding Leverkusen to a 0-0 draw in their final game.

Despite the fact Chelsea FC and FC Schalke 04 are the other daunting sides Maribor will come up against this season, Šimundža's charges will be hoping to take inspiration from their past exploits.

To watch highlights of Maribor's previous campaign, view the video above.