Preview: Georgia vs Czech Republic
- Soccer News 2024/09/06 02:34
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Georgia competed in a major tournament as an independent nation for the first time in their history over the summer and, as the lowest-ranked team at Euro 2024, surprised many by reaching the knockout stages.
Willy Sagnol's men picked up four points from three group games, including a vital 2-0 win over Portugal, to book their place in the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Georgia's fairytale journey was ended by a 4-1 defeat at the hands of reigning champions Spain, but the Crusaders left the tournament in Germany with their heads held high and Sagnol now has his sights set on a successful Nations League campaign.
Georgia, currently ranked 70th in the world by FIFA, secured promotion to the 2022-23 Nations League from League C after winning five and drawing one of their six matches to finish top of their group ahead of Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Gibraltar.
Georgia have lost just three of their last 11 international matches in all competitions, including two against Spain, while their home record also bodes well ahead of Saturday's clash with the Czech Republic, having lost just one of their last 13 matches in front of their own fans since November 2021.
Three years after reaching the quarter-finals of the European Championship, the Czech Republic crashed out of Euro 2024 in the group stage, finishing bottom of the group with just one point.
That lone point came from a 1-1 draw with none other than Georgia - Patrik Schick's second-half goal cancelled out Georges Mikautadze's first-half penalty - while they also lost 2-1 to both Portugal and Turkey.
Ivan Hasek, who was appointed head coach in January, won each of his first four games in charge of the Czech Republic ahead of Euro 2024 and will be hoping to rekindle the spark they had at the start of the year as they look to make a positive start to their Nations League campaign.
Ranked 47th in the world by FIFA, having dropped 13 places since the conclusion of Euro 2024, the Czechs were relegated from Group A of the 2022-23 Nations League after losing four of their six group matches to finish behind Spain, Portugal and Switzerland.
Hasek's side will be hoping to improve on their away form as they head into Saturday's clash with Georgia having won just three of their last 13 internationals away from home, excluding Euro 2024 - although they did beat Norway 2-1 in their last away game in March.
Georgia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Lochoshvili, Kashia, Dvali; Kakabadze, Kochorashvili, Altunashvili, Tsitaishvili; Davitashvili, Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia
Czech Republic possible starting lineup:
Kovar; Zima, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Soucek, Kral, Rynes; Lingr, Hlozek; Schick
Prediction:Georgia 1-1 Czech Republic
Georgia VS Czech Republic stream and TV listing
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