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"A Lyga's" III round will feature two matches this Saturday, where teams competing for medals will face each other – in Panevėžys, Pakruojo "Kruoja" and VMFD "Žalgiris" will clash, while in Marijampolė, local "Sūduva" will play against "Šiauliai". Three more matches will be played on Sunday, as reported by futbolo.tv. "It's difficult to judge based on two rounds, but this year the favorites remain the same – "Sūduva", Panevėžys "Ekranas", and "Žalgiris". It is clear that the lower tier teams include Klaipėda "Atlantas", weakened Tauragė "Tauras" and Gargždai "Banga"," evaluates well-known football specialist, longtime "Ekranas" coach Albertas Klimavičius. In his opinion, the championship would be more interesting if "Šiauliai" and "Kruoja" would compete for the medals. "A major plus this year is that the schedule-making system has been changed. Previously, the leaders quickly rose to the top of the standings. Now the situation is different," said A. Klimavicius, who coached "Kruoja" last year. The football specialist is currently resting at home in Panevėžys. The coach plans to watch the III round matches taking place in this city over the weekend: "Kruoja" – "Žalgiris" and "Ekranas" – "Tauras". Pakruojo "Kruoja" – Vilniaus "Žalgiris" Time – March 24, 14:00. Location – Panevėžys Football Academy Stadium Live broadcast on Futbolo.TV. This year, "Žalgiris" hopes to win the A Lyga, setting ambitious goals, and "Kruoja" aims to get medals. Both teams started the season with minimal victories – Pakruojo team beat "Tauras" 1:0, while "Žalgiris" defeated Gargždai "Banga" 2:1. The moods were different in the teams in the second round – "Kruoja" lost 1:2 to "Šiauliai," while "Žalgiris" crushed "Atlantas" 7:0 at home. "My prediction is that the match between 'Kruoja' and 'Žalgiris' will end in a draw. The Pakruojo team should rebound after an unsuccessful last round," says A. Klimavičius. Last year, the football specialist led "Kruoja" for half a season. Later, he was replaced by Aidas Dambrauskas, who had been an assistant until then. Compared to the previous season, the Pakruojo team underwent radical changes – they were supplemented by 14 newcomers, eight of whom are foreigners. "The teams change every year. The most important thing is to find a way to play, to understand each other," shared A. Klimavičius. "The decision on how many foreigners a team needs is made by the management. However, I don't think it is worthwhile to play with five foreigners in the reserve team in the championship. On the other hand, it is understandable, as footballers need game practice." A. Klimavičius hasn't seen "Žalgiris" matches this year: "The arrival of a new coach always gives an impulse to fight, to perform well. However, the first two rounds don't say anything about the abilities of the Vilnius team." In the A Lyga standings of the most effective footballers, the first place is held by "Žalgiris" Scottish Callum Elliott. The striker scored a decisive goal against "Banga" and showed off a 'poker' – four goals in the last match against "Atlantas". "I saw C. Elliott playing for "Hearts." At that time, he didn't attract much attention. However, this year several A Lyga legionnaires bring vitality and benefit to Lithuanian football," analyzed A. Klimavičius. The importance of Saturday's matches is understood by the footballers of both teams. According to the 'Kruoja' defender Irmantas Zelmikas, neither 'Kruoja' nor 'Žalgiris' will have an easy time: "The capital's team is a good team with many young players." In the opinion of 'Žalgiris' goalkeeper Marius Rapalis, the upcoming matches will show the true potential of the teams: "Tense matches await us against strong teams." 'Kruoja' will have to do without Giedrius Slavickas, who underwent meniscus surgery on Thursday, and likely without Sergejus Žigalovas. Marijampolės "Sūduva" – "Šiauliai" Time – March 24, 16:00. Location – Marijampolės "Arvi" football arena Live broadcast on Futbolo.TV. Central A Lyga III round match. Both "Sūduva" and "Šiauliai" earned six points out of six possible ones. The strong team from Suvalkija's capital started the season powerfully by defeating the former four-time national champion "Ekranas" 3:1 in the first match and proving their superiority with a 4:1 win against "Tauras". "Šiauliai" won 3:0 against "Atlantas" in the first round and 2:1 at home against the regional derby – they defeated 'Kruoja'. "All matches are principled. Dropping points anywhere can be costly," A. Klimavičius didn't single out the match. "The favorite of the match is Sūduva". I think they will win by one goal." According to the coach, the Marijampolė team did not reach their best form too early: "All teams are preparing for the start of the season. Also, the Marijampolė team played tactically very maturely against 'Ekranas'. Playing with three forwards, the team from Panevėžys did not create anything dangerous, while 'Sūduva' took advantage of quick counter-attacks". A. Klimavičius agrees with the belief of some coaches that the bench depth of 'Sūduva' is short and thinks that they may need to strengthen in the summer. "Šiauliai" earned six points, and that is most important. The team from Šiauliai played disciplined football all the time. Although the team does not have prominent stars, their defense is so well organized that it is difficult to beat 'Šiauliai'", analyzed A. Klimavičius. In the match between 'Sūduva' and 'Šiauliai', brothers Tadas and Tautvydas Eliošius will face each other. "Now 'Sūduva' is the strongest team in the A Lyga. They maintained the core of the team from last year. Playing away, it will be very difficult," said Tautvydas, representing 'Šiauliai'. The 20-year-old defender doesn't underestimate the match with his brother: "You need to stop not only Tadas but the entire 'Sūduva' team. We will go for the victory". According to Tadas, playing for 'Sūduva', the goal of Marijampolė team is the same – to win: "It doesn't matter if you play against your brother or not. There are no status rankings on the field". One of the most promising Lithuanian footballers, Tadas Eliošius, confidently gives 100 percent that the team from Suvalkija's capital will celebrate the victory, but he doesn't underestimate the opponent: 'Šiauliai' team is really good. They are currently in good form. It will be tough matches". Recently, the brothers had health problems – Tadas was sick, and Tautvydas injured his ankle. However, both hope to take to the field on Saturday from the first minutes. 'Šiauliai' will have to play without Laurynas Rimavičius, who underwent a meniscus operation on Thursday. Artūras Rimkevicius, who injured his wrist in the same match, is likely to appear on the field. Panevėžio "Ekranas" – Tauragės "Tauras" Time – March 25, 13:00. Location – Panevėžys Football Academy Stadium Live broadcast on Futbolo.TV. "Ekranas" started the season non-championly, admitting the superiority of "Sūduva" 1:3 in the first round, and narrowly survived in Vilnius last weekend, beating A Lyga debutant – REO team 1:0. The start of the Italian 'Tauras' was even less successful – they lost to 'Kruoja' 0:1 in the first round and 1:4 to 'Sūduva' in the second. "Ekranas" should capitalize on their scoring opportunities and win easily," predicted A. Klimavičius. "Panevėžys team is strong and has more experience compared to some other teams, combined. So far, 'Ekranas' forwards haven't shined, but I think they will bounce back." According to A. Klimavičius, 'Tauras' should not be written off too soon after last season's changes: "Several players who have tasted a lot of matches of this level represent the team. Perhaps the start of the season was difficult because the Italian coach needs time to clarify the team's specifics". The official 'Tauras' website states that the team will seek to break the streak of two consecutive losses and try to 'sting' the former four-time national champion. "Although Panevėžys' team is considered the favorites, the fluctuating start of the champions should give 'Tauras' team additional hope and motivation," the team's website states. Giedrius Tomkevičius, a longtime 'Ekranas' footballer, hopes for full stands and promises victory to the spectators – he gives 99 percent to Panevėžys winning. "I watched only one half of the "Tauras" team. I wouldn't say the team is weak," shared G. Tamkevičius. "Perhaps our not so good start was due to Lithuanian conditions. We trained mostly on grass for most of the preseason. I think everything will be fine soon." Gargždų "Banga" – Vilniaus "REO" Time – March 25, 15:00. Location – Gargždai Stadium Live broadcast on Futbolo.TV. Debuting in the A lyga, "REO" didn't just defeat Alytus "Dainava" (2:3), but also "Ekranas" (0:1). Both losses were experienced at the end of the matches. In the first round, Gargždų "Banga" lost 1:2 at home to "Žalgiris", but in the second round played 0:0 in Marijampolė against "Dainava". "The first rounds showed that "REO" jumped into work vigorously and can take points from A Lyga medalists in the championship. This should be an interesting match. I would predict that it will end in a draw," expressed football specialist A. Klimavičius. According to him, "Banga", which hasn't changed much compared to last season, remains at the same level as it was last year this year. Their advantage should be the home ground: "Banga" always plays better in Gargždai". According to A. Klimavičius, one of the strengths of "REO" is experienced players. "I don't think the referees are set against the A Lyga debutant. Maybe it just happened that way. The more strong teams that can take points from the favorites, the more interesting and enjoyable it gets," said A. Klimavičius. Klaipėdos "Atlantas" – Alytus "Dainava" Time – March 25, 18:30. Location – Gargždai Stadium Live broadcast on Futbolo.TV. A match between unexpectedly high-ranking teams and the weakest team in the league. "Dainava" defeated 'REO' 3:2 after a tough fight in the first round, while in the second round played 0:0 in Gargždai against "Banga". "Atlantas" hasn't scored a goal this year and conceded the ball 10 times – they were defeated by 'Šiauliai' 0:3 and 'Žalgiris' 0:10. "Dainava" should win," thinks A. Klimavičius. "The approach to the match will be crucial. The team from Alytus shouldn't think they will defeat 'Atlantas' easily." According to the coach, "Dainava" will maintain its previous level and stay in the middle of the standings: "The team lost a few experienced players, but during the debut season last year, the young players gained experience and got used to it." Talking about "Atlantas", the football specialist regretted that the financial situation is a concern for the team. "Many things depend on that nowadays. A player coming needs to eat, survive. It's a pity that conditions are as they are in Klaipėda," said A. Klimavičius."
