The Georgian outfit haven't tasted defeat since last March, going on a remarkable 18-game unbeaten run and winning 12 of them.
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Dinamo Batumi will host Slovan Bratislava in the second leg of the Champions League first-round qualifying at the Adjarabet Arena on Wednesday night. The opening leg at Tehelne Pole last week ended in a goalless draw. The Georgian football club, in their first ever Champions League match, displayed great fighting spirit as they managed to keep the tie very much in the balance despite playing the majority of the game with 10-man. Captain Mamuka Kobakhidze received marching orders for two bookable offences before the break.
Meanwhile Gia Geguchadze’s side have been in brilliant form in the Erovnuli Liga, accumulating 75 points from 36 games to sit at the summit of the standings and were well on course to retain the title. The Georgian outfit haven’t tasted defeat since last March, going on a remarkable 18-game unbeaten run and winning 12 of them. Bratislava, on the other hand, would be disappointed at not being able to take advantage of a man-less Batumi last week and will have an uphill task against a solid defensive unit. The Slovakian champions had failed to win any of their final four friendlies before welcoming Dinamo Batumi.
Dinamo Batumi captain Kobakhidze will watch Wednesday’s match from the stands after being sent off in the first leg. Meanwhile Tornike Gaprindashvili is serving a European suspension. Head coach Geguchadze is unlikely to make too many changes to the side that put up a solid performance last week. The back-four of Chabradze, Rekhviashvili, Azatskyi and Azarovi should retain their place in the playing eleven with Reidi and Altunashivili sitting in front of them. As for Slovan Bratislava Marian Chobot and Michal Sulla are sidelined with Cruciate ligament injuries. Midfielder Vladimir Weiss could wear the captain’s armband. Ivan Saponjic is expected to lead the attack with Chakvetadze occupying the position behind the striker.
Dinamo Batumi probable starting line-up: Kupatadze; Chabradze, Rekhviashvili, Azatskyi, Azarovi; Reidi, Altunashvili; Mamuchashvili, Bidzinashivili, Davitashvili; Flamarion
Slovan Bratislava probable starting line-up: Chovan; Medvedev, Abena, Kashia, De Marco; Kucka, Kankava; Weiss, Chakvetadze, Zrmhal; Saponjic.
The UEFA Champions League match between Dinamo Batumi vs Slovan Bratislava will take place at Adjarabet Arena on Wednesday at 10:30 pm IST.
Football fans in the USA can catch the live action on Paramount +, while those in Sweden can tune to Viaplay Sweden.
