As the Estonian Premium Liiga heats up, FCI Levadia and Paide Linnameeskond prepare for a clash charged with frustration, pride, and personal meaning.
The defending champions FCI Levadia are feeling the heat. After a string of uneven performances, they’ve let their lead narrow to just two points — and the critics are circling. There’s been talk that this year’s Levadia side isn’t as strong defensively, or as complete, as the 2021 title-winning squad. Veteran Brent Lepistu, though, isn’t buying into the narrative.
“I’m feeling great this week,” Lepistu told reporters ahead of Sunday’s pivotal showdown against Paide Linnameeskond. “This week’s been really strong for me. I’m 100% ready.”
Despite starting in seven of Levadia’s 11 matches and making two additional appearances off the bench, Lepistu has heard the whispers. A recent draw with FC Flora — and dropped points against major rivals — only added fuel to the fire.
But Lepistu isn’t panicking. “I wouldn’t say we’ve gotten weaker defensively,” he stressed. “Maybe it’s more about chemistry — Peetson and I haven’t played together in these positions before. It takes time. Our goals conceded have come from individual mistakes, not tactical failures.”
Even when former Levadia playmaker Zakaria Beglarišvili claimed the 2021 squad was stronger, Lepistu stayed measured.
“Every season is different,” he said. “If we finish this season with the title, maybe then we can say today’s team is stronger. Until then, it’s all perspective.“
Paide: Riding Anger Into the Big Game
If Levadia are trying to silence doubt, Paide Linnameeskond are channeling frustration into firepower.
Currently third in the league with 22 points from 11 matches, Paide already stunned Levadia once this season with a 2–1 win. But since then, their form has been rocky — dropping points to JK Tallinna Kalev and FC Kuressaare in a pair of frustrating games.
“It’s not sadness — it’s anger,” said Paide’s top scorer Robi Saarma. “When you drop five points against the bottom teams, it stings. We could be at the top right now.”
The team knows what’s at stake, and it shows. “This is a mirror moment for all of us,” Saarma explained. “Training has been fiery. Everyone wants to prove they deserve a starting spot against Levadia. Big games like this, they get noticed — and every player wants to be the one who stands out.”
Paide’s highs this season — including a dominant 4–0 win over Nõmme Kalju — show their potential. But as Sunday’s kickoff looms, the question remains: will it be the brilliant Paide or the inconsistent Paide that shows up?
A Clash Charged with Emotion
Beyond the league table and tactical battles, Sunday’s match carries a deeper, more personal resonance. For Levadia’s Brent Lepistu, who became a father last autumn, playing on Mother’s Day adds extra meaning.
“Absolutely, it gives me energy,” Lepistu said, smiling. “You come home, you look into your son’s eyes, and realize — life is beautiful.”
When asked who he would dedicate a goal to — his mother Monika, or his partner Anet, the mother of his son Leon Enzo — Lepistu laughed warmly: “To the mothers, of course! If I score three, one for Leon Enzo too!“
The Stage is Set
With tension building, frustrations boiling over, and personal pride on the line, Levadia and Paide collide this Sunday at 14:30 local time in a match that promises intensity, emotion, and maybe even a little magic. Follow the game worldwide on soccernet.ee ‘s YouTube channel.
Source: https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/saarma-paide-em-roller-coaster-em-ist-sellised-punktikaotused-ajavad-vihale , https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/lepistu-torjus-levadia-suunas-lennanud-kriitikanooli-ning-jattis-puhapaevaks-uhe-mottekoha