Benfica marksman Jota is set to start for Portugal against Georgia despite fears about his fitness following missing squad training, according to sources close to Selecao camp. Fans have been assured by officials in Selecao camp that Liverpool star is not suffering from muscle fatigue and should start in his place.
Roberto Martinez will look to rotate his players regularly so as to remain fresh for their last-16 match against Slovenia. With wins against Turkey and Czech Republic already under their belts, Portugal are already guaranteed first place in Group F, as they prepare for their match against the Georgia national football team vs Portugal national football team.
Giorgi Loria
Georgia will aim to surprise Portugal and advance to the quarter-finals for their inaugural major tournament when they face each other on Matchday 3. Georgia currently leads Group F with two victories out of two matches played, while Portugal are on the verge of qualification. Willy Sagnol is unlikely to make major changes to his side that drew with Czech Republic and beat Turkey; Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili should keep his starting XI spot alongside Guram Kashia and Lasha Dvali providing support players.
71 min: With two minutes remaining in the game, both sides have an opportunity to score in a thrilling finish. Joao Neves made an overhead kick that just went over the bar while Kakabadze weaved expertly between three players before being brought down for a penalty kick that Kvaratskhelia calmly slotted away into the bottom corner.
Portugal had an indecisive start, but settled after halftime to dominate in the final third. Cristiano Ronaldo nearly scored with an amazing free kick but just missed hitting its target – Georgia has a strong track record against Portugal in recent years and should feel confident of beating them, using experience to create chances on the counter attack.
Jano Ananidze
Jano Ananidze has been one of Georgia’s key players and was an impressive performer during their first two rounds. The midfielder’s creativity is one reason Georgia are such an effective counterattack team. Jano will surely pose a threat against Portugal and will look to continue his good form.
Georgia will look to move into the top three of Group F with a win against Portugal. They currently share points with Turkey and require an emphatic victory to advance into the knockout rounds of Euro 2024. Georgia have yet to score at Euro 2024 but their defence has held firm thus far despite not finding a goal of their own.
Georgia and Portugal will meet for the first time ever in a competitive fixture in Georgia’s inaugural match against Czechia; should Georgia lose, their hopes of reaching the last 16 may end with defeat at Portugal.
Portugal have shown promise in their first two games but have struggled to find a goal-scoring touch. Their defence has been strong while they must also improve on offense if they hope to secure victory this time around.
Manager Martin Martinez will likely stick with his initial starting lineup after Georgia’s opening-round draw against Czechia, with Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili likely starting between the sticks, supported by Lasha Dvali and Guram Kashia from defense. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Metz has provided Georgia with firepower up front; his consistency throughout their first two matches makes him their main hope of breaking through against Czechia.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Kvaratskhelia scored his fifth goal in two games and is leading this tournament’s scoring charts. As one of Europe’s premier dribbling players, he has often been compared with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Georgia continue to dominate possession and create opportunities, they’re extremely impressive in the final third. Mikautadze threads a ball through for Kiteishvili who shoots low but straight into the side-netting; Felix attempts to swing in a cross but only achieves futile and wasteful play reminiscent of most Portuguese attacks.
Ronaldo narrowly misses his free-kick, hoping to mark his 50th appearance at major tournament. This will undoubtedly make an unforgettable memory.
As Georgia continue to threaten an upset result in their match against Portugal, they may yet achieve it. They’re just two victories away from qualifying for their inaugural European Championship knockout stages; an upset would give their confidence a huge boost!
Georgia have momentum and energy on their side, but can they turn it into victory? Manager Roberto Martinez may rest some of his superstar players, which could give young talent a shot.
Giorgi Chakvetadze
Giorgi Chakvetadze will lead Georgia’s attack alongside Napoli striker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Chakvetadze is an accomplished goal scorer, having scored five in 11 matches this season alone; his pace should allow Georgia to create more scoring chances and create opportunities against much bigger opponents like APOEL Nicosia’s Lasha Dvali and Al Okhdood’s Saba Kvirkvelia – two players that provide Georgia with solid bases from which to start their attacks against.
First half has been fairly dull as Portugal have maintained possession without truly challenging their hosts’ defence. One notable moment occurred when Felix attempted to pass Ronaldo a pass but his hopeful flick resulted in a goal kick instead of success.
Georgia have enjoyed some opportunities, yet are unable to capitalize on them. A great run from Georgiy Mikautadze is ended by him sending the ball forwards for Lochoshvili; unfortunately his low shot misses by some distance.
Georgia make two changes, as Gvelesiani and Mekvabishvili replace Zariko Davitashvili and Koba Khachidze respectively, creating space in midfield that should help them retain possession and create chances.
Georgia would suffer an irreparable blow if they lose this match-up and would face an uphill struggle to progress to the next stage of qualifying. They currently sit third place, three points behind Portugal but two ahead of Czech Republic. Georgia must win all their remaining games to have any hope of making it through, although Otar Kiteishvili remains out due to injury and Luis Enrique will also be without key defender Pedro Porro and fullback Fabian Ruiz who were both injured prior to travelling to Gelsenkirchen; nevertheless they remain strong favorites.
Giorgi Zivzivadze
Budu Zivzivadze (born 10 March 1994) is a Georgian professional footballer currently playing as a striker for Karlsruher SC in 2. Bundesliga as well as Georgia national team. He hails from Kakha Zivzivadze and Rusudan Gegeshidze families with one elder sister; as a child he attended both chess and dancing lessons before finding himself drawn towards football as an obsession.
Starting off his career at Imedi Academy in Kutaisi, he went on to play for Dinamo Tbilisi youth teams before making the leap into senior. Over four seasons with them he scored 28 goals total. Later he moved onto top-tier club Samtredia where he earned himself recognition as Player of the Season award winner.
Zivzivadze spent time playing for Esbjerg FB of Denmark before making the leap home and joining Torpedo Kutaisi, where he helped win the Erovnuli Liga championship title that year, scoring 12 goals in that championship season and being honored as its top scorer.
Zivzivadze made his international debut for Georgia in January 2017 and since has gone on to score eight goals for his national side. As a target man who excels at creating space for teammates and is clinical in front of goal. Additionally renowned for his great physicality and ability to hold up play. Comparable qualities could be found with Germany forward Niclas Fullkrug.
These two strikers excel both in the air and at finishing half-chances. Furthermore, both have developed excellent reading of the game and can quickly exploit spaces behind – making them ideal pairings in the final third. Furthermore, both have demonstrated versatility by playing different positions.
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