Review of the A League: both leaders lost points

2023-08-09 09:01 © P. Židonio

"Optibet A lygos" 25th round was played evenly by both championship leaders.

Effect. Marijampolė's "Sūduva" after a tough battle secured their first victory this summer - at home they defeated Alytus DFK "Dainava" football players 2:0.

The crucial factor was the 20-year-old Nigerian Oyinlola Kayode, who scored a brace and now has 4 goals to his name. He became the team's top scorer after the last match.

Statistics. "Dainava" head coach Sergejus Kuznecovas emphasized the not-so-pleasant numbers for the team after the lost clash.

In their matches against "Sūduva", Telšiai's "Džiugas", and Gargždai's "Banga", Alytus team managed to secure only 10 points out of 27. The team will have a chance to improve the situation in the fourth round.

History. In the matches against Vilnius "Riteriai", "Banga" had not won for more than three years, but last week they won 1:0 away.

Coached by Davido Afonso, the team did not win for 13 consecutive matches and after the important victory, they climbed back to the 6th place.

Antirecord. "Riteriai" has been unable to secure a victory for more than three months and with 15 points they are falling further behind all the teams.

The capital club has not won even in the 16th consecutive match - a new club antirecord.

Opponent. Mindaugas Čepas' coached FA "Šiauliai" once again did not give in to Vilnius "Žalgiris" and for the third time in a row this year shared points - 0:0.

In the seven consecutive matches, the Žalgiris representatives defeated Šiauliai only twice, last time being last year.

Audience. FA "Šiauliai" received a very large support from fans in last Sunday's match.

During the match against the defending champions, 2200 spectators gathered - the largest audience this year at the Šiauliai city stadium.

Newcomer. Telšiai's "Džiugas" continues their best streak in this "Optibet A lyga" season. The Žemaičiai played 0:0 away against "Kauno Žalgiris" and haven't lost for the fourth consecutive match.

Goalkeeper Simone Moschinas played a significant role during this period. The 27-year-old Italian had an excellent match in Kaunas, kept a clean sheet, and has not experienced a defeat yet.

Farewells. The temporary capital club, which has been struggling since the first quarter and rarely winning this summer, made changes in the squad.

Three players bid farewell to the team - Nojus Akinis, Ryan Trotman who did not play this year, and one of the leaders in the heart of the field Brahim Konate.

Unyielding. "Panevėžys" faced a stumble from the defending champions in Šiauliai, but they also played evenly. The leaders erased a two-goal deficit and shared a point with Kaunas region "Hegelmann" - 2:2.

Recently, a crucial factor has been the forward Noelis Mbo, who had been in a slump for a long time. The powerful striker impressed in the last two home matches and also scored in the return match against the Israeli team.

Attack. "Hegelmann" players have scored 40% of the opponents' conceded goals this season against "Panevėžys" - 4/10.

Filip Dangubičius once again reminded of himself. The Croatian player stood out after more than two months of break and has scored 13 goals.