Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has his confidence back – Napoli manager

Napoli manager Rudi Garcia claims Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has rekindled his confidence and is back to his best for the Serie A champions ahead of their Champions League game against Real Madrid.

The winger had a difficult few weeks at the start of the season, but he has come alive in his past two Serie A performances.

The Georgia international scored and assisted in his team’s 4-1 win over Udinese on Wednesday. Then, in the weekend’s 4-0 victory over Lecce, Kvaratskhelia added another assist.

Last season, the 22-year-old was a revelation for Napoli, scoring 12 goals and setting up 10 more in 34 Serie A games as his team won the title.

However, his recent performances have convinced Garcia that he is back on track and in good time, with the Italian champions preparing to face Real Madrid on Tuesday.

“I think of Kvara who used to play with a lot of anxiety and was very much looking for the goal that he had been missing for a long time,” Garcia said at his presser on Monday.

“Now that he has found his composure again, he has also found the goal again.”

“The thing that has changed is that by scoring and not hitting the post you find confidence. Kvaratskhelia has regained his confidence and is now back to being a unique footballer. You can see that he has found serenity again. Before, however, he forced the play too much.”

Both Napoli and Madrid are chasing a second win in the competition have recorded victories on the opening day.