Napoli Boosted By Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's Return Ahead Of Genoa Clash In Serie A

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Napoli's manager, Antonio Conte, confirmed that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is fit for their Serie A match against Genoa. The Georgian player had suffered a knee sprain during their loss to Lazio earlier this month. However, his recovery has been successful, and he is ready to play on Saturday. Napoli currently holds second place with 35 points, trailing Atalanta by two points. Kvaratskhelia has scored five goals and provided three assists in 15 Serie A matches this season.

Conte expressed confidence in his team's recent performance, attributing their success to strong foundations and hard work. He emphasised the importance of building a solid base for lasting success. "Shortcuts to success are ephemeral," he stated. "To build something important, you need solid foundations." Conte also highlighted his belief in the players' ability to improve even after setbacks.

Since early September, Napoli has shown impressive defensive strength in away games. They have conceded only two goals while keeping five clean sheets during this period. In the Big-5 European leagues, only Fiorentina, Inter, and Real Sociedad have matched this record of clean sheets in away matches.

Conte praised his squad's growth and left January transfer decisions to the club's discretion. "For my part, I have maximum confidence in the boys," he said. "I can go to war with them—sporting war." He expressed satisfaction with their development and remained open to potential changes if credible opportunities arise.

The upcoming match against Genoa presents challenges for Napoli at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium. Conte acknowledged the difficulty of playing there due to its classic English-style design with fans close to the pitch. "It creates a hot atmosphere," he noted but stressed that they would stick to their game plan with attention to detail and teamwork.

Genoa has not conceded any goals in their last three league matches. They have not achieved four consecutive clean sheets since February-March 2022. Under Patrick Vieira's leadership, Genoa remains unbeaten in his first four games as manager, securing one win and three draws.

The anticipation for Napoli's clash with Genoa is high as both teams aim to maintain their strong form. With Kvaratskhelia back in action and Conte's faith in his squad's capabilities, Napoli looks forward to continuing their pursuit of Serie A success.