The Žalgiris club lost points against Panevėžys

2024-08-11 19:27 © Pauliaus Židonio

In the central match of the 26th round of the „TOPsport A league“, the footballers of „Panevėžys“ and Vilnius „Žalgiris“, who were considered favorites before the season started, faced off. Both teams failed to capitalize on their chances and ended in a peaceful draw 0:0.

In the very first moments of the match, Joris Moutachy made a serious mistake in his penalty area, but Federico Palacios' attempt was blocked by Jurijus Kendyšas, saving the situation.

In the 17th minute, the most effective player of the Žalgiris team this season, Liviu Antal, found himself one-on-one with the captain of the „Panevėžys“ team, Linas Klimavičius. He took a shot, but Vytautas Černiauskas easily caught the ball. Later, Paulius Golubickas struck near the goal.

The 35th minute was marked by a significant danger near the guests' goal – avoiding a defender, F. Palacios passed the ball to Jeffrey Sarpong, whose shot whizzed just past the post.

The second half began with a misunderstanding by the Panevėžys players near their penalty area. Taking advantage of the error, Nicola Petkovičius took a powerful shot on goal, but the ball was deflected over the goal line by goalkeeper V. Černiauskas. A few minutes later, after J. Sarpong's shot, the team was forced to be rescued by goalkeeper Arpadas Tordai.

As the match approached its end, the capital's team was closer to a winning goal, but N. Petkovičius' and Ovidijus Verbickas' chances did not turn into goals.

During the referee's added time, there was chaos near the Panevėžys goal, but after O. Verbickas's accurate shot, a foul was called.

By adding a point to their tally, „Panevėžys“ caught up with „Sūduva“ and „TransInvest“, while the Žalgiris team dropped to second place after this round.