FK Žalgiris goalkeeper Carlos Olses says his side must dominate possession and impose their style on opponents as they prepare to reclaim the A Lyga title in 2026.
Speaking to Baltic Football News after a 4-2 pre-season loss against FC RFS in Riga, the Venezuelan shot-stopper outlined an ambitious tactical approach for the coming campaign. “At Žalgiris, we must be the ‘protagonist’ of every match,” Olses said. “We need to be the main characters and impose our style of play. We want to control the ball, execute lethal transitions, and maintain dominance in every single game, regardless of the opponent.“
The match highlighted areas requiring improvement ahead of the season opener. “We are working very hard to find our rhythm as a team. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, and I think today’s game highlighted that,” Olses admitted. “That is exactly why we play these preseason matches, to ensure we are in the best possible shape when the season officially kicks off.“
This is Olses’ first full pre-season with Žalgiris after arriving from Valmiera FC in late February last year, and he has witnessed significant squad changes. “We are reinforcing the squad and bringing in new players to address areas where we felt we could improve,” he said. “Right now, it’s about building, not just on the pitch, but off it too. We’re getting to know each other to ensure we have the strongest season possible.”
Comparing Latvia and Lithuania
Having previously played for Valmiera in the Latvian Virslīga before moving to Vilnius, Olses offered insight into the two Baltic leagues. “In my experience, they are quite similar,” he said. “You can compare the rivalry between Riga FC and RFS to the one between Kauno Žalgiris and ourselves. Those are the standout teams, and then you have very competitive clubs below them that fight for every point.”
The 26-year-old, who was born in Caracas and previously played in Buenos Aires, noted minimal differences in playing style. “The speed and physicality are very comparable. Even on artificial turf, our pitch in Vilnius is quite fast, so the transition hasn’t been difficult.”
Off the pitch, however, the move from a regional city in Latvia to the Lithuanian capital has suited Olses. “In Lithuania, I live in the capital, Vilnius. When I was in Latvia, I was in Valmiera, which is a much smaller city,” he explained. “I am used to the big-city energy. Adapting to the quiet life in Valmiera was a bit of a challenge for me; it’s peaceful, but Vilnius is much more my style.”
Title or Bust
Olses, having amassed 36 games for Žalgiris last season across all competitions including 12 clean sheets, left no doubt about expectations for the season ahead. “The goal for me and my teammates is simple: to win the championship,” he said. “At a club like Žalgiris, we cannot settle for anything less. That has to be our mentality from day one. We are ready to give our best to take the title back.“
His personal ambitions are also clear. “The goal is to keep as many clean sheets as possible,” Olses concluded. “The defensive side of the game is vital because it provides the security and the solid base the rest of the team needs to play properly and attack with confidence.”
