Conte confirms Kvaratskhelia and Politano double blow for Napoli | OneFootball

Antonio Conte has confirmed that both Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano will be unavailable for Napoli’s top-of-the-table clash against Fiorentina in Serie A on Saturday.

The Partenopei coach has confirmed that Kvaratskhelia has still not fully recovered from a knee issue that ruled him out of the 3-1 win over Udinese in December, but revealed that the specific issue on this occasion is down to muscular fatigue.

NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of SSC Napoli shows his disappointment during the Serie A TIM match between SSC Napoli and AC Monza at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 29, 2023 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

With Politano also unavailable through injury, Napoli will have to name a rotated attacking line-up for Saturday’s game against Fiorentina.

David Neres is the likely candidate to replace Kvaratskhelia, but Conte also suggested that wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola could potentially be deployed as a makeshift winger.

Conte confirms Kvaratskhelia and Politano absences

When asked about Politano’s availablility during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Conte said: “He is not among the players that have been called up. It was a week with some hitches. He’s not the only one, because we don’t have Kvaratskhelia either.

“These unexpected events, big or small, are part of the season for every football team.

“We have been more than good at making up for it up until this point, from Lobotka and Gilmour, now we are coping without Buongiorno, with Kvara after his knee problem, which is not completely healed. He had muscular fatigue this time.”

When asked about potential solutions and whether there is a chance that we see more of Spinazzola moving forwards, Conte replied: “He grew up as a winger, he’s very good in the offensive parts of the game. He was a winger during his time with Juventus, and then transitioned into an attacking wing-back. He has important qualities and can be an option at this time.”