After seven rounds of the championship, the capital’s team is exactly where their performances suggest they should be – in the top five. The numbers do not lie. Criticizing the leadership of the Vilnius club is, at the very least, improper and a sign of poor tone. Quite simply, they are not fully familiar with where they have come. Everyone looks the part – suits, appearances, presentations – but someone will have to work. Not everyone can be directors, and there is a lot of work ahead.
This text aims to explain how, with the current squad, it is possible to try to extract better results. Particular attention is given to two of the most important players in Vilnius Žalgiris – the best A Lyga footballer of 2024 Paulius Golubickas and defensive midfielder Yury Kendysh – and how their roles could be better defined within the team’s tactical structure.
The Diamond Setup
One of the proposed solutions is a diamond-shaped midfield system. It could be used from the start of matches and adjusted dynamically throughout the game.
Such a system requires attacking full-backs on both sides, similar to how Telšiai’s Džiugas use their full-backs. In Žalgiris case when Saba Mamatsashvili and Klaudijus Upstas in possession. If one of them is unable to fulfill this role, alternative options must be found within the squad.
In this setup, Žalgiris would not rely on traditional wingers. Instead, players like Upstas would provide width, while Golubickas would shift centrally into his natural role between midfield and attack, occupying the 8–10 spaces.
The structure could look like this: Mamatsashvili at left-back, Turda (or Pavilionis/Matyžonok alongside another centre-back) and Bosančič centrally, Upstas on the right, Capan and Kendysh in midfield, Verbickas slightly ahead, Golubickas in the central attacking role, Šešplaukis out wide, and Antal leading the line. Goalkeeper Šarkauskas would operate as a sweeper-keeper, stepping high when needed and contributing in build-up play.
Golubickas would finally play in his natural zone, but this season he has struggled to replicate his previous impact. The main issue is the lack of movement around him. Teammates are not offering passing options in time, forcing him to hold onto the ball longer than necessary, absorb contact, and lose efficiency. Žalgiris’ play has become static, with players often waiting instead of moving, expecting Golubickas to create something out of nothing.
Using him on the wing is as ineffective as asking Kendysh to play deep defensive roles.
Golubickas himself has admitted that he needs to improve his finishing and be more decisive in shooting situations. From a young age, he was taught to prioritize creating chances for teammates, but he now recognizes the need to become more selfish in front of goal. His unpredictability is there, but confidence in taking shots from distance must grow.
He has also acknowledged that excessive responsibility sometimes works against him. He spends too much energy on aspects that do not bring value, instead of focusing on his strengths. This translates into unnecessary running and misplaced effort on the pitch. With experience, he hopes to correct this.
Midfield Roles and Structural Issues
Against Kauno Žalgiris last weekend, the team showed some improvement, especially in movement. Had M. Šetkus converted his chance in the first half, the game might have taken a different direction. However, conceding twice after the break ultimately decided the outcome.
Many players are capable of playing in multiple positions, but each has preferred roles. One of the leaders for the Kauno Žalgiris, Gratas Sirgėdas, for example, has historically been most effective centrally but is now frequently used in wide areas – similar to Golubickas. This shift likely relates to physical attributes, but it reduces their overall effectiveness.
Kendysh remains one of the key figures in midfield. While he lacks speed defensively, he compensates with physical strength, aerial ability, and excellent vision. With the ball, he dictates tempo and makes key decisions, acting as a controller.
Capan, on the other hand, lacks aggression and consistency in duels. While he had a solid first half against Kauno Žalgiris, questions remain about his overall contribution. His signing itself raises doubts, especially considering the club paid a transfer fee for a player whose profile could potentially be developed internally.
This leads to a broader issue – motivation within the squad. If academy players are not given real opportunities, what incentive do they have to progress? Unless they have influential backing, their chances remain limited, and such players rarely succeed in the long term.
Structure, Depth and Missed Potential
The team continues to suffer from poor role distribution. Šetkus is not inferior to the current left-sided defensive option, who is more attack-oriented and struggles defensively. Such players should be used higher up the pitch.
In the diamond system, Mamatsashvili would be better utilized, while Šešplaukis would operate higher, and Antal would remain closest to goal. The midfield triangle of Kendysh, Verbickas, and Capan would provide balance.
In central defense, at least one Lithuanian player such as Pavilionis should be included alongside foreign players, as he has already proven his quality.
The attacking structure could shift into a 3-2-5 shape, with three defenders at the back, two midfielders ahead, and five attacking players creating width and depth. This would ensure compactness and allow effective pressing upon losing possession, similar to Džiugas’ approach.
Žalgiris have significantly more squad depth than most teams in the league, yet this advantage is not being fully utilized. Players like Matyžonok remain underused despite their versatility. Once praised even by Manchester United representatives, he could be redeployed effectively in different roles.
Jarusevičius, who showed strong performances last season, is also rarely used. Meanwhile, Zahary’s absence due to a serious knee cartilage injury adds further uncertainty, as recovery timelines remain unclear.
The failure to sign a new striker during the winter transfer window suggests that the club’s ambitions have already been quietly scaled back.
Beyond the Pitch
If the team struggles to adapt to natural grass, training solutions exist – such as using Saulėtekis stadium. However, this would require serious decisions, including improving infrastructure and pitch conditions.
Injuries should not be blamed externally. They reflect internal issues – training processes, workload management, and recovery systems.
The academy structure also requires improvement. Talent identification, development, and integration must be more effective. Currently, young players see limited pathways to the first team, which affects motivation. Many eventually shift focus away from football altogether.
Short substitute appearances do not build confidence or rhythm. Without consistent opportunities, development stalls.
The Bigger Picture
Žalgiris appear to prioritize image over substance. Investment in media, events, and visibility overshadows the core aspects of football – recruitment, development, and long-term planning.
Despite receiving significant public funding, accountability remains low. Poor results carry limited consequences, and objectives can be adjusted mid-season.
At the same time, there is little transparency regarding financial decisions or previous management practices. No clear communication about audits or structural changes has been presented.
The club continues to rely on outdated methods and familiar faces rather than bringing in new expertise. Meanwhile, Kauno Žalgiris are progressing in nearly every area – and the gap continues to grow. Vilnius Žalgiris do not lack talent. They do not lack resources. What they lack is direction. And until that changes, no tactical system will be enough to fix what is fundamentally a structural problem.
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