Napoli’s Giovanni di Lorenzo defends Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: “People make judgments only from highlights”‘

Napoli captain and defender Giovanni di Lorenzo has defended Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, amidst criticism for the Georgian star.

Kvaratskhelia hasn’t had an exceptional season by any means and it seems like a farcry from last season, where he was vital to the club’s Scudetto win. The Georgian has been inconsistent this season, having yet to score in the Champions League so far for the club.

He was also on show for the club against Braga in the Champions League yesterday and the Partenopei picked up a 2-0 win and qualified for the next round of the competition. 

Club captain Di Lorenzo spoke to Mediaset Infinity Plus (via TMW) about Kvaratskhelia and he said: “No one should allow themselves to criticize Kvaratskhelia, for what he is doing and for what he did last season. Nowadays people make judgments only from highlights, but if you see what he does during the match it is very important for us. He just lacks the goal to finally free himself, but he is an exceptional boy and player, no one should allow himself to criticize him.”

The 22-year-old has scored four times in the Serie A, racking up four assists. While those numbers are good on paper, comparisons from the lofty standards of the previous season make them look inferior. And that, if anything, is rather unfair.

Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN