Lithuania vs Georgia Preview
Lithuania treat this afternoon's friendly in Kaunas as a live rehearsal for the June calendar, while Georgia arrive with eyes on sharpening a squad that expects to punch above its seeding once competitive fixtures resume.
Match essentials
- Competition: International friendly
- Kickoff: 29 March 2026, 13:00 UTC
- Venue: Dariaus ir Girėno Stadium, Kaunas
- Lithuania head coach: E. Jankauskas
- Georgia head coach: W. Sagnol
Lithuania: structure and priorities
E. Jankauskas keeps faith with a solid defensive base. Edvinas Gertmonas is set to marshal a back line anchored by Vilius Armalas, Artemijus Tutyškinas and Edgaras Utkus, with Pijus Širvys and Justas Lasickas supplying width as wingbacks. The double pivot of Gvidas Gineitis and Modestas Vorobjovas aims to control the middle, freeing Gratas Sirgedas and Fedor Černych to work pockets behind target forward Gytis Paulauskas. Tomas Kalinauskas provides competition for those advanced roles and remains the leading set-piece specialist.
The selection underlines two themes. First, Lithuania want energy on the flanks, with Širvys and Lasickas expected to alternate between wingback duties and auxiliary wingers. Second, the trio of Gineitis, Vorobjovas and Sirgedas gives Jankauskas ball-winning bite plus progressive passing lanes, crucial for feeding Černych’s drifts into half-spaces. Paulauskas has to pin the Georgian centre-backs; if he cannot, Lithuania will struggle to hold territory.
Recent windows have shown Lithuania can keep games tight but often lack incision. Set pieces remain their clearest route to goal. Expect Kalinauskas to handle many deliveries, with Tutyškinas and Armalas the aerial targets.
Georgia: maintaining momentum
W. Sagnol continues to refine a possession-first 4-2-3-1. Giorgi Mamardashvili should start in goal behind a back four of Irakli Azarovi, Lasha Dvali, Luka Lochoshvili and Giorgi Gocholeishvili. Anzor Mekvabishvili partners Giorgi Kochorashvili at the base of midfield, while Otar Kiteishvili orchestrates between the lines. Shota Nonikashvili and Saba Lobzhanidze bring direct running from the flanks in support of target striker Giorgi Kvilitaia, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ready to tilt the contest from the bench if required.
The shape points toward a possession-first approach. Kochorashvili will drop to orchestrate build-up, freeing Mekvabishvili to press higher and Kiteishvili to shuttle into wide channels. Lobzhanidze’s pace on the right can punish Lithuania if their wingbacks advance without cover. Kvilitaia’s hold-up play is vital: he must occupy Tutyškinas and Armalas to release late-arriving midfielders.
Georgia’s recent rise hinged on compact spacing and quick transitions. Even in a friendly, Sagnol will demand that same intensity, especially after watching other regional powers take advantage of the March window, as noted in our piece on Türkiye 1-0 Romania: Kadıoğlu and Güler keep Montella on the road to 2026.
Tactical outlook
Lithuania’s pressing triggers usually come from Vorobjovas stepping out when the ball is worked to one of Georgia’s full-backs. If executed cleanly, that could force turnovers high up the pitch. The danger is that Georgia’s double pivot of Mekvabishvili and Kochorashvili can break the press with first-time passes, flipping the play toward Lobzhanidze or Nonikashvili.
Expect Georgia to probe Lithuania’s right. Lasickas must track Lobzhanidze’s runs inside; failure to do so will leave Utkus isolated. Conversely, Lithuania may look to overload Georgia’s left side, where Azarovi is more comfortable attacking than defending. Kalinauskas drifting wide to combine with Širvys could stretch the visitors.
Set pieces might decide the tempo. Lithuania are well-drilled on corners, while Georgia often weaponise Kiteishvili’s delivery for Dvali and Lochoshvili. Discipline in the box is non-negotiable for both coaches.
Key battles
- Gytis Paulauskas vs Lasha Dvali: Whoever wins the duel sets the territorial script. Paulauskas cannot allow Dvali to step into midfield with the ball.
- Fedor Černych vs Luka Lochoshvili: Černych’s movement between the lines is Lithuania’s best creative outlet; Lochoshvili must track him without leaving gaps behind.
- Saba Lobzhanidze vs Justas Lasickas: Georgia’s direct runner against Lithuania’s adventurous wingback could tilt the flanks either way.
What to watch next
This fixture offers Lithuania a benchmark before competitive action returns in June. Georgia, with W. Sagnol fortifying depth options, are hunting for rhythm ahead of a summer schedule that will define their World Cup qualification hopes. Updates on selection tweaks and any late knocks will follow once both federations sign off final matchday documents.
