Georgia’s search for a first win since the departure of Willy Sagnol continued under the lights on Monday, as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and his team-mates were held to a goalless draw by Ukraine in Ramaz Svanadze’s first match in charge.
Key takeaways
- Georgia drew 0-0 with Ukraine three days after losing 1-0 to Northern Ireland.
- Kvaratskhelia played the full 90 minutes but could not help Georgia find a breakthrough.
- Georgia had 14 attempts, with five on target, yet Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin kept a clean sheet.
- Svanadze, formerly Georgia Under-21 manager, began his senior spell without the historic win his side wanted.
- Georgia remain without a victory in 12 meetings with Ukraine, drawing five and losing seven.
- Ukraine moved to the top of Nations League B Group 2 following Andrea Maldera’s second game as coach.
Georgia cannot turn pressure into a goal
The draw came after a difficult few days for Georgia, whose 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland led to the end of Sagnol’s reign. The Frenchman had led the national side since 2021, but the result opened the door for Svanadze to step up from his previous role with the country’s Under-21 team.
His first assignment offered a demanding test against a Ukraine side carrying momentum from Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Dominik Szoboszlai’s Hungary. Georgia created enough chances to believe a long-awaited result was possible, registering 14 shots and forcing five saves on target.
But Trubin, Ukraine’s Benfica goalkeeper, resisted everything that came his way. Kvaratskhelia completed the match, though Georgia were unable to convert their territorial effort into the decisive moment.
A win would have broken new ground for Georgia. Instead, their record against Ukraine now stands at five draws and seven defeats from 12 encounters.
Ukraine take control of the group
For Ukraine, the point was enough to place them first in Nations League B Group 2 ahead of Northern Ireland’s evening meeting with Hungary.
Andrea Maldera has overseen two matches since taking charge of the Zbirna. The Italian previously worked as Roberto De Zerbi’s assistant at Brighton and later at Olympique de Marseille, and his side have now followed their win over Hungary with a disciplined clean sheet against Georgia.
