Genoa Vs Napoli: Antonio Conte Boosted By Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Return For Serie A Clash

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will be available for Napoli for their Serie A clash at Genoa, manager Antonio Conte said on Friday. (More Football news)

The Georgian sustained a sprain in his right knee during their loss to Lazio earlier this month, but his recovery has been effective, and he is ready for Saturday's🌼 game.

Napoli are second with 35 points, two behind leaders Atalanta, with Kvaratskhelia contributing five goals and three assists in 15 Serie A appearances for Napoli tꦰhis season.

"Kvara trained with us yesterday and looked more🍷 relaxed today. He’s available, and it's an important recovery for us," Conte told reporters.

Since the beginning o🍒f September, Napoli have conceded only two goals in away games, ke🅠eping five clean sheets; in the Big-5 European leagues in this period, only Fiorentina, Inter and Real Sociedad registered as many clean sheets in away games.

The Napoli boss stressed that the team's recent good run is built on solid foundations and hard🍌 work, highlighting his belief in the players' ability to improve, even after setback🐭s.

"Shortcuts to success are ephemeral," he said.

"To build something important,🧸 you need solid foundations. Great work can shorten the path, but without those foundati🍒ons, success doesn't last.

"I always repeat that I have faith in these guys because I see them evღery day. Then you can't always win. You stumble, but even in the stumble they will try to improve."

Conte reaffirmed his t♈rust in the squad's 🦹growth while leaving January transfer decisions to the club.

"For my part, I have maximum confidence in the boys, I can go💖 to war with t൩hem," Conte said. "Sporting war. They are real men and boys who grow and it shows, and I am very happy about this.

"Let me be clear. I am very calm, but if credible opportunities arise—because you hea꧑r so many things—and the club decidಞes or wants to make changes, then we'll see."

Genoa have not conceded any goal𝓀s in their last three league games, though they have not kept four clean sheets in a row since February - Marc𓆏h 2022. Patrick Vieira is also yet to lose, going unbeaten in his first four games in charge (W1 D3).

Conte acknowledged the diffi꧅culty of facing Genoa at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium.

"It’s a classic English-style stꦆadium, with fans right on top of you," he added. "It creates a hot atmosphere, but we’ll stick to our game plan and face whatever comes with attention to detail and collaboration."