Georgia v Portugal is a match valid for the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship 2023 and is played on Wednesday at 18:00: news, formations and predictions.
Georgia hoped to the last that they could count on him. But Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, the brightest star of the title-winning Napoli side, eventually politely declined. The Azzurri striker has played too many matches in this long season and felt he needed a rest. He will therefore not take part in the Under-21 European Championship, organised by his country for the first time. Logically, Georgia will lose a lot without him.
For the small Caucasian selection it is also the first, historic, participation in the final phase of a European Championship: in the past, out of 14 attempts, it had always failed. It came close three years ago, but despite five victories in the qualifying rounds, it finished behind France and Switzerland. This time it has benefited from the ‘special pass’ reserved for the organising country, but its chances of making it to the knockout stage seem derisory. Georgia has landed in a very complicated group, in which there are two potential outsiders such as Belgium and the Netherlands, but also one of the candidates for victory, Portugal, who two years ago came to play the last act in Hungary and Slovenia. It will be precisely the Lusitanians who will be their first opponent in the opening match in Tbilisi.
Rui Jorge’s selection, which has been at the helm of the Under-21s for 13 years, failed to break the final taboo in 2021, surrendering to Germany at the last minute and postponing the appointment with its first title in the category.
Kvaratskhelia, the great absentee
Another silver medal for Portugal, who are at it again after literally dominating the qualifiers. They won nine out of ten matches, scoring a total of 41 goals, 20 of which they beat Liechtenstein in the first leg and return. Rui Jorge, however, will have to do without Arsenal player Fabio Vieira, who has left the camp in recent days due to an unspecified physical problem. In attack, eyes will be on Conceiçao and Fabio Silva.
The prediction
Georgia will be able to do little against Portugal’s offensive power. The Portuguese, despite Vieira’s absence, remain one of the most talented selections in the event and are likely to debut with a comfortable victory. The total goals should be at least three.
The official line-ups for Georgia v Portugal
- GEORGIA U21 (4-2-3-1): Kutaladze; Khvadagiani, Sazonov, Gelashvili, Kalandadze; Lominadze, Mekvabishvili; Guliashvili, Moistsrapishvili, Tsitaishvili; Gagua.
- PORTOGALLO U21 (4-3-3): Biai; Zé Carlos, Penetra, Amaro, Tavares; Almeida, Samuel Costa, Bernardo; Conceiçao, Araujo, Fabio Silva.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-3
