GEOR DROPPING
Georgia Euro 2024 squad, predicted line-up versus Czech Republic, latest odds and star players
A Premier League transfer target is set to be busy between the sticks
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TOURNAMENT rookies Georgia have absolutely nothing to lose as they step onto the big stage for the first time - but they did suffer a defeat in their opening Euro 2024 match.
They held their nerve in the play-off shoot-out against Greece following a win over Luxembourg to get to the tournament.
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Former France full-back Willy Sagnol became a national hero in his adopted homeland by guiding the nation to the Euros.
But this will be a huge challenge and even a point from their three games is likely to be a triumph.
Sagnol’s squad play across Europe with a few in Asia and have a smattering of top grade experience.
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Manager: Willy Sagnol
The Frenchman boasts an impressive CV that includes a Champions League winner's medal and five Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich as a player.
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The 47-year-old was manager of Bordeaux before becoming assistant manager at Bayern under Carlo Ancelotti in 2017.
He has been Georgia manager since 2021.
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Key man: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Winger has made his mark in the Champions League and helped Serie to the title in 2023.
With 15 goals in 29 caps for his country show why he is the main asset of Sagnol’s side.
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Likely line-up
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How they attack
Georgia certainly did things the hard way in qualifying for their first ever major international tournament as they came through a playoff against Greece on penalties.
It is a country that tends to produce highly technical players and in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia they have a talent who could emerge as one of the stars of the tournament.
We expect to see Georgia play in a 3-4-1-2 system with two mobile and dynamic strikers but their back three will help them to progress the ball.
While they can at times play longer, the minnows have the quality to play out from the back and into the middle third.
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Georgia will build the attack with confidence from deeper areas and their stars are typically comfortable receiving the ball deep facing their own goal.
They can play longer driven passes into the midfield areas before linking play and combining to play forward.
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There can be no doubt that the Napoli forward Kvaratskhelia will be Georgia’s main danger as they attack.
While he plays from the left at club level we tend to see him allowed to drift and play anywhere across the attack for the national team.
He is a threat to drop into space to receive the ball at any point.
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How they defend
From the defensive side of the game we expect to see Georgia drop off to play in a medium defensive block with little intent to press the ball and look to engage it high.
They will typically be solid and strong centrally but they do give up spaces wide that can be exploited.
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This form of defending could well be dangerous for Georgia in this tournament as top sides will be able to easily take advantage of the spaces.
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By giving up these wide spaces Georgia are inviting the opposition to attack down the sides and in these situations they can be outplayed wide through longer passes behind their defence.
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Prediction
It is hard to make a case for them advancing beyond the group phase.
Besides the brilliant Kvaratskhelia and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has been linked with Newcastle and Chelsea, there is a real lack of quality in the side.
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If Georgia were to beat Portugal, Turkey or Czech Republic in the group stages it would be an incredible upset.
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Latest odds
William Hill have them at 500/1 to win Euro 2024 and 10/3 to lose all their matches.
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