by Mantas Aliukonis
After a commanding away victory over Banga Gargždai, Marijampolė Sūduva’s captain and veteran center-back Aleksandar Živanović cut a composed figure in the post-match interview. Now in his ninth season with the club, the 38-year-old Serbian defender is as candid as he is hopeful. “Last season we were very close to relegation,” Živanović reflects. “A lot of people had written us off, but this season we’ve started strong. Now we need to keep that level of play going.”
Consistency and Caution: The Thin Line Between Form and Fragility
Sūduva’s resurgence in A Lyga this year has surprised many, but Živanović tempers expectations with realism. The three-time Lithuanian champion acknowledges the club’s Achilles heel—depth. “We don’t have a very deep squad, so my biggest hope is to avoid serious injuries,” he says plainly. Citing the previous campaign, Živanović recalls a promising early run that quickly unraveled under the weight of mounting injuries. “The first three or four rounds were good for us last year too. But then came a wave of injuries that impacted our results. If the guys stay healthy, we can definitely do better this year.”
The captain also underlines how fine the margins are in football.
“Sometimes we have chances and we take them. Other times, like today, we play a solid game, but the result is lopsided. That’s football—you win some, you don’t convert others. It’s not always about how well you play.”
Leadership Through Unity, Not Star Power
When asked who the standout leaders will be this season, Živanović sidesteps the idea of star players, instead emphasizing collective spirit. “We’ve always had a strong core and great guys in the dressing room. On the pitch, everyone has to run and fight for each other. That’s how you get results,” he explains. “I’ve been here since 2017. We won three titles because we were like a family. That’s the kind of team spirit we need again.”
While he acknowledges the positive start, Živanović remains humble about Sūduva’s prospects. “It’s too early to make predictions about the season. We’ll know more in three or four months when the picture becomes clearer.” Still, he doesn’t hide his ambition. “If everything goes right, I believe we can have a strong season—and maybe even reach Europe.”
Injuries and the Road Ahead
Injuries have already cast a shadow over Sūduva’s campaign. One of the club’s high-profile offseason signings, Afghan international forward Omran Haydary, has been sidelined with a torn ACL suffered during preseason. “He’s begun rehabilitation here in Lithuania,” Živanović shares. “Recovering from this type of injury is never easy—it’s one of the toughest in football. I don’t know if he’ll be able to return this season. It’s been three months since the injury, but recovery can take six to nine.”
With limited squad rotation and Haydary’s absence, the margin for error remains slim. Yet Sūduva continues to lead the A Lyga standings after 11 rounds, defying preseason expectations. Their journey in the LFF Cup also continues, with a Round-of-16 clash set for May 28 against ambitious First League side Tauragės Tauras, a club known for its defensive solidity—just two goals conceded in eight matches.
Next up in the league, Sūduva travels to face Džiugas Telšiai, who have currently established themselves in the mid-table, trailing the Top 3 co-leaders by only 6 points. Sūduva can expect to be optimistic about this fixture as Džiugas are second only to the winless Dainava in terms of their home form – securing 3 points from their previous 4 home matches. For Živanović and Sūduva, it’s another opportunity to strengthen their momentum—but with eyes always cast on the bigger goal: a return to European football.
“We have a good atmosphere, a good group of players,” Živanović concludes. “If we can stay healthy and keep working together, who knows where this season might take us.”
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