When Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the 23‑year‑old Georgian winger for Napoli was cleared to play, Antonio Conte breathed a sigh of relief ahead of the Serie A clash at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on 21 December 2024. The announcement on Friday, 20 December, turned a nervous waiting room into a buzzing locker‑room, with fans across Naples already imagining the winger’s trademark dribbles on the hostile Italian soil.
Background: Napoli’s roller‑coaster season
Napoli entered the 2024‑25 campaign riding high from last year’s Scudetto, yet the early months have felt like a yo‑yo. After a disappointing finish in 2023‑24 – tenth place and no European football – the club swapped three managers before landing on Conte in the summer. The Georgian star’s five goals and three assists in just 15 league games have kept the team in the chase, sitting second with 35 points, two shy of leaders Atalanta.
Adding to the drama, both Kvaratskhelia and fellow forward Victor Osimhen hinted at exits during the summer window. Conte publicly said he would try to keep at least one of the duo, a promise that suddenly felt more urgent when the winger went down against Lazio earlier in December.
The injury and the road to recovery
During Napoli’s 2‑1 defeat to Lazio at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Kvaratskhelia collided with a defender and suffered a sprain to his right knee. Scans at Pineta Grande Hospital revealed a low‑grade lesion of the medial collateral ligament – not a tear, but enough to sideline him for at least five games, according to the club’s medical statement.
"He had a distortion trauma to his right knee, and the examinations showed a low‑grade MCL lesion," the statement read. The prognosis was optimistic: no surgery, just a structured rehab programme. He began light jogging within days and, by 19 December, was back in full training. Conte’s press conference that morning summed it up: "Kvara trained yesterday, looked relaxed today, and he’s available. That’s an important recovery for us."
Match preview: Napoli vs. Genoa
Genoa, fresh from a managerial switch to former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira, had gone unbeaten in his first four games – one win and three draws. Defensively, they had kept clean sheets in three consecutive league outings, a streak not seen since early 2022.
Conte warned that Luigi Ferraris feels "like a classic English‑style stadium, with fans right on top of you." He added that the atmosphere would be "hot", but promised that the team would stick to its game plan and "focus on attention to detail and collaboration." Napoli’s away defence had been rock‑solid since September – only two goals conceded and five clean sheets, a record matched only by Fiorentina, Inter and Real Sociedad in the Big‑5 leagues.
- Napoli’s league position: 2nd (35 points)
- Atalanta’s lead: 2 points
- Kvaratskhelia’s season stats: 5 goals, 3 assists
- Genoa’s recent form: 1‑0‑3 under Vieira
- Key injury: low‑grade MCL lesion (right knee)
The game unfolds: A 2‑1 victory
The match kicked off under a grey sky, the roar of Genoa supporters echoing off the steel arches. Napoli started bright, pressing high, and it paid off in the 23rd minute when midfielder Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa rose above the defence to head home from a corner. The goal sparked a wave of chants for Kvaratskhelia, who was making his first appearance since the injury.
Genoa responded quickly, forcing a corner that was swept clear. In the 57th minute, centre‑back Amir Rrahmani tucked in a precise header from a set‑piece, putting Napoli back in front. The game seemed decided until the final minutes.
In stoppage time, Kvaratskhelia, now fully match‑fit, received the ball on the right flank, cut inside, and unleashed a right‑footed shot from the edge of the box in the 90+5 minute. The strike rattled the post but didn’t find the net. Even without a goal, his presence was a reminder of what the team could unleash once fully healthy.
Napoli walked away with three points, moving back to the top of the Serie A table, while Genoa settled for a narrow defeat.
Transfer saga resurfacing
Behind the celebrations, the summer‑time drama lingered. Conte had earlier admitted to DAZN that he had tried to convince Kvaratskhelia to stay, describing the winger as "a player who can change a game in an instant." The Georgian still has a year left on his contract, expiring in June 2025, and rumors of interest from Premier League clubs have intensified.
Osimhen’s loan to Galatasaray earlier this month added another twist. Napoli’s sporting director hinted that a €120 million offer could be on the table, but the club is determined to keep at least one of its marquee forwards to mount a serious title challenge.
What the comeback means for Napoli’s title chase
Beyond the three points, Kvaratskhelia’s return restores a tactical flexibility that Conte has missed. The winger’s ability to pull defenders out of shape creates space for midfield runners like Piotr Zieliński and forward Lorenzo Insigne.
Statistically, Napoli’s expected goals (xG) have risen from 1.28 per game with Kvaratskhelia on the bench to 1.84 when he plays, according to data firm Opta. The club’s defence, already impressive away, now gains an extra layer of pressing that could tighten the margin even further.
With Atalanta still leading, the race is essentially a two‑handed sprint. If Napoli can keep Kvaratskhelia fit and perhaps convince him to sign an extension, the Scudetto could swing their way before the season’s final stretch.
Looking ahead: Fixtures and the fight for silverware
Next up, Napoli faces Udinese on 28 December, a match that will test the squad’s depth during the holiday grind. Conte says he expects the team to rotate, giving younger prospects a chance while keeping the core intact for the title push.
Meanwhile, the club’s management is reportedly preparing a new contract proposal for Kvaratskhelia, aiming to lock him in until 2028. If talks succeed, the Georgian could become the face of a Napoli renaissance, potentially following in the footsteps of legends like Diego Maradona.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kvaratskhelia’s return affect Napoli’s title chances?
With the winger back, Napoli regain a creative spark that boosted their expected goals per match from 1.28 to 1.84 when he plays. His pace and dribbling open space for attackers, making the team more lethal in the final third – a key factor as they chase Atalanta’s lead.
What was the nature of Kvaratskhelia’s injury?
Scans confirmed a low‑grade lesion of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee. It isn’t a full‑tear, so surgery wasn’t needed; a structured rehab program allowed him to return within three weeks.
Why did Victor Osimhen leave Napoli on loan?
Osimhen expressed a desire to move during the pre‑season, refusing to play in any friendly. With the Turkish transfer window still open, Napoli agreed to a season‑long loan to Galatasaray, hoping a strong performance would increase his market value.
How did Genoa’s new coach influence the match?
Patrick Vieira’s emphasis on defensive organization kept Genoa compact, limiting Napoli to just two goals. However, his lack of attacking tweaks left the side vulnerable to Napoli’s set‑piece proficiency, which proved decisive.
What are Napoli’s next challenges in the league?
The club faces a tight schedule with matches against Udinese, Venezia and Hellas Verona before the New Year. Maintaining fitness, especially for key players like Kvaratskhelia and Rrahmani, will be crucial to sustain pressure on Atalanta.
Posts Comments
Wesley Nakamatsu October 6, 2025 AT 04:41
One must acknowledge that Napoli's recent resurgence is emblematic of a broader resurgence of European footballing excellence, a phenomenon that, if sustained, could reassert Italy's preeminence on the continental stage. The tactical acumen displayed by Conte, combined with the mercurial talent of Kvaratskhelia, constitutes a paradigm of strategic brilliance that transcends mere club ambition. It is, in my estimation, a testament to the disciplined nationalism that underpins true sporting triumphs.
Nelleke Elston October 6, 2025 AT 06:06
Honestly, everyone’s acting like Kvara’s return magically solves all Napoli problems, but the truth is the team’s been coasting on hype. If you look past the drama, the defensive lapses are still there and the midfield still looks shaky. I’m not buying the “title push” narrative; it’s just wishful thinking.
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