In just twenty-one minutes, Kvaratskhelia made his mark, showcasing his talent in the new era under coach Conte. His opening goal against Albanian champions Egnatia was a masterpiece: a beautiful right-footed volley that didn’t allow the ball to touch the ground, signaling the return of the real Kvara and hinting at the Napoli that could be.
Napoli dominated the match, finishing with a convincing 4-0 victory. Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring, followed by goals from Politano, Simeone, and Ngonge—both assisted by Zerbin. The team’s performance was sharp, displaying order and aggressive play, especially impressive considering Egnatia had already played three competitive matches this season.
Conte rotated his squad effectively, giving nearly all players a run-out, with only the third and fourth goalkeepers and Mezzoni not making an appearance. Cajuste played just the final 12 minutes, leading to speculation about his future. Notably, Gaetano and Osimhen were omitted from the squad as they appear to be on the move.
In the first half, Cheddira led the attack, supported by Kvaratskhelia and Politano, while Mazzocchi and Spinazzola stretched the play wide. This fluid rotation of the attacking midfielders created constant danger for the opposition. During the second half, new faces Buongiorno and Folorunsho made their debuts, with Simeone as a key player, quickly scoring after a deep pass from Zerbin and creating several more chances.
Defensively, Napoli faced little threat, with Di Lorenzo playing centrally in the first half, flanked by Rrahmani and Natan. The second half featured a new trio of Rafa Marin, Buongiorno, and Juan Jesus in front of goalkeeper Caprile, who had replaced Meret. There were a few counter-attacks from Napoli, particularly in the first half, but overall, the team’s structure held firm.
With the arrival of the national team players integrated quickly, it’s clear that Conte’s influence is already making an impact. Napoli’s next fixture will be a friendly against Brest, who surprised many in last season’s Ligue 1 and are preparing for the Champions League. The level will rise, and Napoli will have to step up their game as they look to build on this promising performance. For now, Conte can feel optimistic about the team’s direction.