---
title: "Džiaukštas: Žalgiris rebuilding from “Zero” with possession-first philosophy"
date: 2026-02-04T20:00:41Z
lang: en
author: "Dmitrijs Kravcenko"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/dziaukstas-zalgiris-rebuilding-from-zero-with-possession-first-philosophy/
categories: ["Interviews", "Toplyga"]
---

# Džiaukštas: Žalgiris rebuilding from “Zero” with possession-first philosophy
FK Žalgiris manager Rolandas **Džiaukštas** is overseeing a significant squad overhaul as his side prepares for the 2026 A Lyga season, with only half of last year’s squad remaining and even fewer expected to feature in the starting eleven.

Speaking to _Baltic Football News_ at the Skonto Hall in Riga after a pre-season friendly against Latvian vice-champions FC RFS, where the home side won 4-2, Džiaukštas was candid about the scale of the rebuild. “_In a way, we are starting from zero_,” he said. “_However, the players coming in understand the mentality required here: we must win every game. We are preparing them for that pressure._“

The Lithuanian side has three weeks until their opening league fixture, and Džiaukštas acknowledged the challenge ahead. “_I’ve spoken with the players, and they recognize that we aren’t a ‘unit’ yet,_” he said. “_I expect our collaboration and chemistry to improve significantly in that time_.”

Žalgiris are still active in the transfer market, with Džiaukštas targeting reinforcements in specific areas. “_We are specifically looking for wingers, perhaps another central midfielder, and we definitely need one more defender,_” he confirmed.

## Aggressive Pressing and Possession Control

The manager has outlined a clear tactical vision centred on ball control and high pressing. “_We want to dominate possession to build meaningful attacks and score high-quality goals_,” Džiaukštas explained. “_When you have the ball, you don’t concede goals. Possession allows you to create chances, but it also allows the team to rest while in control._“

The emphasis on keeping the ball represents a continuation of Žalgiris’ philosophy, but with an added edge this season. “_This year, we aim to be more aggressive and much better in our pressing_,” Džiaukštas said. “_Our goal is to intercept the ball in the final third – near the opponent’s goal – and convert those moments into scoring chances. That aggressive mentality is the Žalgiris way; we want to win every game._“

The friendly against RFS exposed areas requiring improvement, particularly in individual defensive battles. “_We aren’t satisfied with certain defensive moments – particularly in one-on-one duels. We lost too many of those challenges,_” Džiaukštas admitted. “_To compete at this level, we have to win our individual defensive battles._“

The RFS match also highlighted the gap Žalgiris must bridge to compete consistently at European level. “_To be honest, RFS currently has more quality and depth,_” Džiaukštas said. “_Today, they showed they essentially have two starting-eleven squads of equal quality. We aren’t at that level of depth yet, but we are on the way_.”

Squad depth will be crucial for Žalgiris’ European campaign, which begins in approximately six months. “_By then, I hope we will be in much better shape and more cohesive as a unit,_” Džiaukštas said. “_We don’t know our opponents yet, but we will fight to go as far as possible in the Conference League. That is our primary objective_.”

Asked about the possibility of a potential future Baltic League, Džiaukštas suggested it would create compelling competition. “_The Latvian league has many strong teams, perhaps more depth in quality teams than Lithuania at the moment,_” he said. “_However, when the top Lithuanian teams play the top Latvian teams, it’s always a great challenge. You never know the outcome. Games like this prove that a Baltic competition would be very competitive_.”