Slovenia's most successful football club will be chasing its first berth in the group stage of Europe's top club football competition since 1999/2000.

Maribor coach Ante Čačić says the main goal for the club in the first leg is to secure a result that will be a good foundation for the return match scheduled for next week.

He admitts that the Czech champions make for a big hurdle for Maribor given their attacking style of play.

Viktoria Plzen last made it to the group stages of the Champions League two years ago, when they played in the same group as Barcelona, Milan and Bate Borisov.

Maribor have made it to the fourth and final round of qualification for the Champions League with wins over Malta's Birkirkara (2-0) and Apoel of Nicosia (1-1, won on away goals).

Plzen defeated Željezničar of Bosnia-Herzegovina 6-4 and then demolished Estonian champions Kalja 10-2 to book a playoff place.