A priori, Spain is the big favorite for your meeting round of 16 against Georgia. However, the Georgians are going from strength to strength in the first Euro Cup in their history, where Whatever happens, they have already become national heroes. This Sunday at 9:00 p.m. they will have the opportunity to continue their feat against one of the tournament favorites.
Kvaratskhelia, Mikautadze, Chakvetadze, Mamardashvili… Many of these names will not ring a bell to the vast majority, a vast majority where Gerard Nus does not fit. The Tarragona coach, and Gustavo Poyet’s assistant in Greece until just over two months ago, suffered firsthand against a team that had been studied to the millimeter, but against which They ended up succumbing on penalties with the German Euro Cup at stake.
Gerard has analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of a team that can catch the most casual fans by surprise, although Their 2-0 victory against Portugal should serve as a warning to sailors not to trust themselves facing a match in which they have nothing to lose. The victories of ‘La Roja’ against Georgia by 3-1 and 1-7 In the qualifying phase for this Euro they have to serve as an example to know how to play them.
The team above individuals
In the team led by Willy Sagnol there are players in great shape like ‘Kvara’ or Mamardashvili, whom Mikautadze, Euro top scorer, has joined. However, the great strength of this team is its work as a block. “They play with two variables, a 5-3-2 or a 5-4-1, with a football based on retreat and transitions where everyone goes together”Gerard acknowledges.
Georgia doesn’t have the ball burning either, but against Spain a team is expected to retreat behind
“The ball doesn’t burn them either when they have to touch it, but against Spain a group is expected to retreat back and wait for their moment to hunt down the National Team,” the coach acknowledges. It is very difficult to attack them in the middle due to the great concentration of players they have in that area, and they will come prepared to make the minutes pass. until the pressure of a single-match tie begins to come into play.
Attacking by bands, of vital importance
Due to the aforementioned good withdrawal of the Georgians, and their well-known defense of five, The key is to attack the wings.“It is very important to play with superiority on the sides, whether in two against one or three against two, to “catch them by surprise and open holes”he states.
Their experienced defense makes them comfortable defending in a low block. “Spanish midfielders and centre-backs must be aware of counterattacks with defensive vigilance”, recognized as one of the main keys, emphasizing the left wing of Kvaratskhelia. The Napoli winger He is the only one who enjoys a certain freedom to realize some individualities.
The reality is that Spain is the big favorite, with numbers to back it up. Three out of three in the Euro Cup, no goals conceded and six wins in seven games against the Georgians. However, we still have the match against Russia in the 2018 World Cup in our memory, or against Morocco in 2022, so we should not trust anyone, least of all a match. There is no rival more dangerous than one who has nothing to lose.
