Serie A leaders Napoli will need to quickly adapt to life without influential forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Antonio Conte Prepares Napoli for Life After Kvaratskhelia

Coach Antonio Conte said, with the team facing a tough test at high-flying Atalanta on Saturday.

Kvaratskhelia confirmed his exit from the club in a goodbye message posted on social media on Thursday, with the Georgia international set to join French champions Paris St Germain following his two-and-a-half year Napoli spell.

“I said that January was special, it’s called the transfer market, so one-two, whoever leaves, whoever comes in…” Conte told a press conference on Friday.

“Due to locker room dynamics, human dynamics, relationships are also created between (the players), it’s inevitable that such strong shocks can create small imbalances.

“We will have to be good at maintaining the unity created up until January 1 (and) recreate that alchemy with the new players, to also make up for Kvara’s absence.”

The Georgian winger has missed three of Napoli’s last five league games with injury but the team have marched on regardless, while David Neres has begun to prove his worth to the manager.

“Head down and pedal, whatever happens,” Conte added.

Antonio Conte Prepares Napoli for Life After Kvaratskhelia
Antonio Conte Prepares Napoli for Life After Kvaratskhelia

An eight-match winning streak in the LaLiga has lifted Atletico Madrid to the top of the standings and dreaming of a first league title in four years, but coach Diego Simeone insists on focusing on one match at a time.

Atletico, who have 44 points after 19 matches, are one point above local rivals Real Madrid.

More than anyone else we live match by match. We have to enjoy this situation, knowing our victories and based on what happens, work in accordance with what is needed,” Simeone told reporters on Friday, ahead of Saturday’s visit to Leganes.

Newly-promoted Leganes, 16th in the table, are unbeaten in three matches in all competitions, and reached the quarter-finals of Copa del Rey with a 3-2 win over Almeria this week.

The Borja Jimenez-led side stunned Barcelona last month, beating them 1-0 at their own stadium.

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