Lithuanian football champions FK Kauno Zalgiris will return to TOPLYGA action this Friday with an away match against Dziugas in Telsiai. Then, on July 7, they will kick off their UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign at Darius and Girenas Stadium, where they will face Kosovo champions FC Drita Gjilan.
Both in Friday’s match in Telsiai and next Tuesday’s European fixture in Kaunas, Kauno Zalgiris’ new signing Marko Konatar is expected to be ready to make his debut in the green-and-white shirt.
The Serbian full-back joined the team last week and has already been working hard in training.
“My first impressions are very good, and I’m really happy to be here. I want to start working and winning as soon as possible, and I’m looking forward to the European matches. This is my first time playing abroad, but I think I’m ready. I'm not a kid anymore, I like challenges, so I see everything positively,” said the 26-year-old during his first interview in Kaunas.
The Serbian defender has spent his entire career in his home country, where he built a reputation as a reliable defender capable of playing in several positions.
“I’d say I’m an intelligent and aggressive defender. I like joining the attack and delivering crosses. In recent years I’ve played in many different positions. My natural position is left-back in a back four, but I’ve also played on the right side, as a wing-back, and even in central defense. I can play anywhere,” the new signing said about his playing style.
Konatar admitted that he did not know much about Lithuania before arriving, but he had done his homework on Kauno Zalgiris and discovered a few familiar faces at the club.
“To be honest, I didn’t know much about the country. I knew the club were Lithuanian champions and would be playing in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. I also knew about the team’s ambitions to become champions again. I was familiar with a few players as well. I met Luka Racic a few times in Belgrade, and I also knew Haris Kadric”, said the new owner of the No. 33 shirt.
As he waits for his debut, Konatar also spoke about his personal ambitions and made a promise to the club’s supporters.
“My personal goal is to win, improve, and win trophies. In Europe, we want to go as far as possible, that would be fantastic. I promise that I’ll give everything I have in every training session and every match.”
Kauno Zalgiris’ next TOPLYGA match will be played on July 3 away against Dziugas in Telsiai, before they return to Kaunas a few days later for their UEFA Champions League qualifying clash with the champions of Kosovo. Tickets are available online.
