{"id":6538,"date":"2025-01-12T20:14:54","date_gmt":"2025-01-12T20:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/conte-napoli-are-focused-on-verona-and-week-20-despite-kvaratskhelia-problem\/"},"modified":"2025-01-12T20:14:55","modified_gmt":"2025-01-12T20:14:55","slug":"conte-napoli-are-focused-on-verona-and-week-20-despite-kvaratskhelia-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/conte-napoli-are-focused-on-verona-and-week-20-despite-kvaratskhelia-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Conte: ‘Napoli are focused’ on Verona and Week 20 despite Kvaratskhelia problem"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"UDINE,<\/picture><\/div>\n

UDINE, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Antonio Conte head coach of Napoli during the Serie A match between Udinese and Napoli at Stadio Friuli on December 14, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Antonio Conte insists Napoli are \u2018concentrated\u2019 on the Verona game and not affected by the negative energy of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia\u2019s demand to leave.<\/p>\n

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 19.45 GMT.<\/p>\n

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today\u2019s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The last 48 hours have been dominated by the controversy around Kvaratskhelia, as Conte announced in a press conference that the Georgia international had asked to leave during the January transfer window.<\/p>\n

It is a heavy blow for the Partenopei, who had been negotiating a contract extension for months, but while Liverpool are also interested, his destination would appear to be Paris Saint-Germain.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to stay concentrated on the pitch and not transfer anything else to the players or those around us. We worked well, I saw the team focused and we were able to prepare for this match,\u201d Conte told DAZN.<\/p>\n

Conte shrugs off Napoli tension<\/h2>\n
\"NAPLES,
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli shows his disappointment during the Serie A match between Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 08, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Verona beat Napoli 3-0 in the opening round of the Serie A season, but now the Partenopei are top of the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cHellas are a very physical side, they have a good trident attack and clearly we need to be very careful. They have pace, attack the space and are a team to be feared. They usually stop their opponents from playing well and we\u2019ll try to get through that.\u201d<\/p>\n

David Neres has improved in recent weeks and effectively replaces Kvaratskhelia on that left flank, not just during injury, but on a permanent basis.<\/p>\n

Conte reiterates that he does not just have a first choice XI, but that players can earn their position in the line-up.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the past we had to do without important players like Lobotka, where Gilmour replaced him well, while Buongiorno is considered a great defender and Juan Jesus is covering him well. Now this happened with Kvara, everyone has to be ready to step up when needed,\u201d concluded the coach.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe same is true of Leonardo Spinazzola, all the lads are ready and giving us what we need.\u201d<\/p>\n

Napoli have been active in the January window already, sending Michael Folorunsho to Fiorentina on loan with option to buy and bringing in Philip Billing from Bournemouth with a similar formula.<\/p>\n

New signings Luis Hasa and Simone Scuffet are on the bench this evening.<\/p>\n