N. Kesminas on Vilnius 'Žalgiris': 'They play roughly how the coach speaks Lithuanian.' © Stop kadras

On Monday, a crucial battle awaits in the A league between the teams of Vilnius "Žalgiris" and "Kauno Žalgiris."

Ahead of the upcoming match, notable sports journalist Nerijus Kesminas spoke quite critically about the Vilnius club, not sparing any criticism towards the strategy of Lithuanian champions coach Vladimir Čeburinas.

"It is very possible that the day is dawning when Vilnius 'Žalgiris' will finally realize where it should go with such football in 2025. The A league leaders 'Kauno Žalgiris' are heading to the capital."

This team has already built an 18-point cushion against the current Lithuanian champions in the league standings. A 21-point gap would turn 'Žalgiris' into a mission impossible: "Enough of the daze, forget it."

Can 'Kauno Žalgiris' win yesterday? Oh, yes.

Everything this year is going according to the logic of the season. The European odysseys of both teams are probably the best example illustrating this statement.

Both teams drew favorable lots. But only the one who wins can call the lot favorable.

'Kauno Žalgiris' won. The Vilnius team was shown its place at the beginning in Malta, and then also in Belfast. We are left to listen to some nonsense from coach Vladimir Čeburinas about troubles in the middle of the field and wasted chances - by the way, did you see them? I couldn't make them out - chances.

No conclusions. No foresight of future plans, except for the previously broadcasted message from director Vilma that her heart's companion V. Čeburinas is irreplaceable.

It doesn't matter that there are no results. It doesn't care that not only the club's ultras are demanding the coach's scalp, but also indifferent passersby, for whom the green and white matters are far from a daily concern.

It is simple to compare the two "Žalgiris" teams this season. Kaunas has quite distinct figures in the attack. Enough broad rotation possibilities, at least by the standards of Lithuanian club football. And, unlike Vilnius "Žalgiris," it has a management corps and coaching staff for the 21st century.

The Vilnius team? It plays about as well as its coach speaks Lithuanian.

'Kauno Žalgiris' will win the A league championship, even if something doesn’t work out for them yesterday. Will they overcome another round of the Conference League qualifiers? Probably not.

But that does not mean they should not try or that they should be written off in advance. This year they are unequivocally the best football team in Lithuania. It would be nice if they prove that they can do even more on foreign soil,” wrote N. Kesminas on his social media account.

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