‘Not for big occasions’ – Kvaratskhelia doesn’t impress in Napoli loss to Barcelona

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Apollo Heyes | Last updated 3/13/24

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was unable to show his best against Barcelona as Napoli suffered elimination from the Champions League, earning him poor reviews from the Italian newspapers.

The Partenopei did well in their first leg meeting with the Blaugrana last month, holding Xavi’s side to a 1-1 draw in Campania, but they were unable to replicate that performance in Catalonia, falling in a 3-1 loss after goals from Fermin Lopez, Joao Cancelo and Roberto Lewandowski, cancelling out Amir Rrahmani’s goal.

Not only were Napoli eliminated from the Champions League, they also fell out of running for the Club World Cup following their defeat, allowing Juventus to confirm their spot in next summer’s revamped tournament alongside Inter.

Kvaratskhelia struggled to make a key impact for Napoli against Barcelona, managing just three shots and three created chances across the 90 minutes.

La Gazzetta dello Sport were disappointed with the Georgian winger’s contributions, writing: “It should’ve been his night, but you quickly understand that he doesn’t have the inspiration for big occasions. Kounde was a goalscorer rather than a full-back, he came at him hard and defused him.”

Tuttosport echoed the sentiments of their Milanese counterparts, commenting: “More no than yes. Probably because he got us used to it, but we can expect much more from him.”

Corriere dello Sport were even less impressed, saying: “Kounde attacked him everywhere, and then there was Yamal, mosquito size, no air, no space. And so he changed, he came in, tried to work with Rui and Olivera, and at the beginning of the second half he said he was there with a turn that froze Montjuic. A flash. The second in the 92nd minute: another shot out of a prayer. Too little.”