In Matchday 5 of the TOPsport A Lyga, the highly anticipated Žalgiris derby between FK Žalgiris and FK Kauno Žalgiris ended in a goalless draw (0-0).
Champions Žalgiris, managed by Vladimir Cheburin, made two changes to their lineup compared to their previous match, where they secured a last-minute victory against Dainava Alytus. Experienced player Ovidijus Verbickas and young talent Motiejus Burba were included in the starting eleven. For Kauno Žalgiris, three changes were made from their win against Šiauliai, with Haymenn Bah-Traore returning to the lineup, along with Divine Naah and Frenchman Fabien Ourega, who made his first start of the season.
In the first 10 minutes, FK Žalgiris created two good chances: Giedrius Matulevičius’ header went just wide of the goal, and Moutachy’s powerful shot from about 15 meters was saved by goalkeeper Deividas Mikelionis. After half an hour, Kauno Žalgiris posed a threat with a corner kick, but Anton Tolordava’s attempt missed the target.
In the 34th minute, Kauno Žalgiris made a defensive error, and Henrique Devens, who had the opportunity to score from the mistake, failed to hit the target. After the hour mark, Romualdas Jansonas found himself in a promising position, but the Žalgiris defense held strong.
Towards the end of the match, Kassim Hadji had a couple of chances; one shot flew far from the goal, while another attempt was thwarted by Mikelionis, who reacted quickly.
In the final minute, Hadji surprised the opposing goalkeeper with an unexpected long-range shot, but the Kauno team was saved by the goalpost.
With this draw, FK Žalgiris remains the only unbeaten team in the league this season, having accumulated nine points and sitting in 3rd place on the league table. FK Kauno Žalgiris is right behind them with one point less.
FK Žalgiris’ next match is on Saturday against FA Šiauliai in an away game, while FK Kauno Žalgiris will host FK Sūduva on the same day.
FK Žalgiris vs FK Kauno Žalgiris – 0:0 (0:0)
Goals:
Yellow Card: Tavares 33′, Henrique 43′, Kendysh 49′ | Benchaib 51′, Naah 62′
ŽAL: Tordai – Moutachy, Zahary, Pavilonis, Tavares – Verbickas, Kendysh, Matulevičius (Hadji 54′), Chol (Matyzonok 68′) – Burba (Jaruševicius 46′), Henrique (Salcinovic 89′)
KAU: Mikelionis – Bah-Traore, Tolordava, Hernandez, Edokpolor – Sirgedas, Ourega (Georgijevic 84′) – Naah, Benchaib, Černych – Jansonas (Pavlovic 84′)
| # | Club | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Hegelmann FC | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| 2 | FK Sūduva | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| 3 | FK Žalgiris | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| 4 | Kauno Žalgiris | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| 5 | FA Šiauliai | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 6 | FC Džiugas Telšiai | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -1 | 6 |
| 7 | FK Riteriai | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 8 | FK Banga Gargždai | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 9 | FK Panevėžys | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -3 | 4 |
| 10 | DFK Dainava Alytus | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -6 | 1 |