Conte on Buongiorno replacement and Kvaratskhelia surprise: ‘I could go to war with them’ | OneFootball

Antonio Conte has revealed that Juan Jesus will replace the injured Alessandro Buongiorno at centre-back for Napoli, has explained that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will be available for the Genoa match on Saturday and that he has ‘maximum’ confidence in his squad ahead of the January transfer window.

“I could go to war with them,” Conte said on the trust he has in his players.

epa11751697 Napoli’s head coach Antonio Conte (C) celebrates with players the 1-0 lead during the Italian Serie A soccer match Torino FC vs SSC Napoli at the Olimpico Grande Torino Stadium in Turin, Italy, 01 December 2024. EPA-EFE/Alessandro Di Marco

Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of the Serie A match between Napoli and Genoa on Saturday, Conte analysed his team’s start to the season and the importance of their 35-point tally so far.

“It means a lot. It means that we’ve done very well with a group of guys who have grown considerably since pre-season. I always like to repeat that I have faith in these guys, because I see them every day.

“You can’t always win, you have to stay humble, but even in the bad moments they still try to improve.”

Buongiorno replacement, Kvaratskhelia boost and Neres praise

Napoli have two major pieces of team news: One positive and one less so. Italy centre-back Buongiorno will miss the remainder of 2024 through injury, but there could be a return ahead of schedule for Kvaratskhelia.

On the defender set to come into the Partenopei line-up, Conte revealed: “The replacement for Buongiorno is Juan Jesus. He has been with us since the beginning, he’s a guy that always trains well, he’s always available and has a lot of desire and loyalty.

“He’s the obvious replacement, we’re talking about a left-sided defender who’s experienced and has played a lot of games in his career, also at Napoli with Rrahmani. He has my trust.”

BRAGA, PORTUGAL – SEPTEMBER 20: Serie A defender Juan Jesus of SSC Napoli in action during the UEFA Champions League match between SC Braga and SSC Napoli at Estadio Municipal de Braga on September 20, 2023 in Braga, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

And on Kvaratskhelia, he added: “Kvara started training with us again yesterday. I thought he looked more relaxed in training today. He’s given us his availability and he will travel, he is available. He’s an important player to recover.”

Conte also had plenty of praise for Kvaratskhelia’s understudy, David Neres, who has often had to settle for appearances off the bench when the Georgian is fully fit.

“He has grown a lot compared to when he arrived, he’s more involved in the team, in everything. He understands that we need players who are never passive in any phase. Modern football requires everyone to be involved at both ends. He gives me an alternative on the right and the left.”

Conte: ‘I could go to war’ with current Napoli squad

On the January transfer window, Conte said that he will “ask the right questions to those in charge,” if needs be, but explained that he has total faith in his current squad, who he claims he could “go to war” with.

epa11738791 Napoli�s forward Romelu Lukaku jubilates with his teammate after scoring the goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs AS Roma at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, 24 November 2024. EPA-EFE/CESARE ABBATE

“Talking about the market is always very difficult. I’m working with this group of players and those who have played and even those who play less have contributed massively to the 35 points we have.

“I have been working with them since the summer, they are all aligned with out methods and after a while, human relationships start to develop as well. I have maximum confidence, to be clear.

“I have maximum confidence in the guys, I could go to war with them, sporting war. They are real men and guys who can grow, and it shows. I have confidence in their work and the January transfer market stops with me. If necessary, I will ask the right questions to those in charge.”