Preview: Dinamo Batumi vs. Slovan Bratislava - prediction, team news, lineups

Gia Geguchadze's side impressively managed to hold the Slovakian champions to a draw in the first leg, despite going down to 10 men before the break.

Match preview

A Dinamo Batumi side playing in their first-ever Champions League match were fighting an uphill battle for the second 45 minutes last week, as captain Mamuka Kobakhidze received his marching orders for two bookable offences at Tehelne pole.

However, the Erovnuli Liga champions stood firm to come away from the first leg with a 0-0 draw on their record and give themselves a fighting chance of making it to the second round to face either Tobol or Ferencvaros.

Geguchadze's men have already made great strides in their efforts to defend their 2021-22 Georgian top-flight title - the first in the club's history - and Dinamo Batumi currently sit nine points clear of closest challengers Dinamo Tbilisi at the summit.

Not since March 8 have this week's hosts suffered defeat in any competition - going on a remarkable 18-game unbeaten run since and winning 12 of them - and it has been 11 months since their last home defeat was inflicted upon them by Sivasspor in the Europa Conference League qualifiers.

After witnessing their side produce a below-par attacking performance against the 10 men of Dinamo Batumi, Slovan Bratislava fans certainly made their feelings known towards the players last Wednesday.

Reports emerged of fans booing players off the pitch and throwing beer cups onto the turf, as a Bratislava side who have been there and done that so many times before in Champions League qualifying were quelled by the tournament's debutants.

Vladimir Weiss's side had failed to win any of their final four friendly fixtures before welcoming Dinamo Batumi to their headquarters, and a lack of ideal preparation proved costly for a side who managed to make it to the Europa Conference League group stage last season.

However, the Slovakian champions have not made it past the second round of Champions League qualifying since the 2014-15 season and are yet to reach the group stage of Europe's elite tournament, which is unlikely to change lest Weiss oversee a dramatic change in attacking fortunes.

Dinamo Batumi Champions League form:

Dinamo Batumi form (all competitions):

Slovan Bratislava Champions League form:

Team News

Dinamo Batumi captain Kobakhidze is not the only player in the hosts' ranks set to be watching the second leg from the sidelines, as midfielder Tornike Gaprindashvili is also serving a European suspension.

Giorgi Rekhviashvili should deputise at the back for the Georgian champions this week, and Irakli Bidzinashvili will hope to complete more than 44 minutes this week after he was taken off to accommodate another defender in the first leg.

Geguchadze otherwise has no reason to alter the formula that fought valiantly for a draw in the first leg, as Flamarion spearheads the attack once again.

In contrast, Bratislava do not have any players sitting on the naughty step for the second leg, but long-term absentees Marian Chobot and Michal Sulla remain out with their cruciate ligament injuries.

Dynamo Kiev loanee Eric Ramirez failed to impress as the focal point of the attack last week, and the 23-year-old's place is in danger as Ivan Saponjic aims to force his way back into contention.

Former Manchester City youngster Vladimir Weiss should once again wear the captain's armband for the visitors in the final third.

Dinamo Batumi possible starting lineup:

Kupatadze; Chabradze, Rekhviashvili, Azatskyi, Azarovi; Teidi, Altunashvili; Mamuchashvili, Bidzinashvili, Davitashvili; Flamarion

Slovan Bratislava possible starting lineup:

Chovan; Medvedev, Kashia, Abena, De Marco; Kucka, Kankava; Weiss, Chakvetadze, Zrmhal; Saponjic

We say: Dinamo Batumi 1-0 Slovan Bratislava (Dinamo Batumi win 1-0 on aggregate)

One may have expected Slovan Bratislava's European experience to see them over the line in the first leg, but Weiss's side - who also flattered to deceive in pre-season - had no answer to their opponents' defensive resilience.

Previews by email