Georgia take on the Czech Republic at the Volksparkstadion on Saturday in their second match of the UEFA Euro 2024 group stage. Both teams have suffered defeats in their opening matches of the campaign and need to avoid defeat in this match to keep their hopes of the knockout stages alive.
The Crusaders made their European Championship debut against Turkey on Tuesday and got on the scoresheet when Georges Mikautadze scored the equalizer in the 32nd minute. Turkey scored twice in the second half to hand Georgia a 3-1 loss.
Nároďák started the campaign against Portugal and lost 2:1. Lukáš Provod scored in the 62nd minute, Vladimír Coufal had an assist. Portugal equalized thanks to an own goal by Robin Hranáč. They wrapped up the match-winners in stoppage time when substitute Francisco Conceição scored just seconds after coming off the bench.
Team news
After an impressive performance in his side’s defeat to Turkey, Willy Sagnol is unlikely to make many changes to Georgia’s starting XI on Saturday.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – his country’s leading active goalscorer with 15 goals – will therefore join Georges Mikautadze up front; Giorgi Kochorashvili, who plays his club football for Levante in the Spanish second tier, should continue in midfield.
Cremona centre-back Luka Lochoshvili would be a candidate if Sagnol decides to shake up the defence, while Zuriko Davitashvili offers a more attacking option.
Meanwhile, Patrik Schick is the top scorer in the Czech squad with 19 and after Tuesday’s kick-off, the Bayer Leverkusen striker will once again try to build on his five-goal run at Euro 2020.
West Ham United’s influential couple Tomáš Souček and Vladimír Coufal will, as always, play key roles in Ivan Hašek’s team – in central midfield and right-back.
Jindřich Staněk made seven saves against Portugal, the most of all goalkeepers in the opening round of group matches, the stopper of Slavia Praha provides the last line of defense for the Czechs.
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