POTM (Europe) – February 2023

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s February 2023 performances in Serie A encapsulated why he quickly became one of the most decisive players in Italian football. Operating from the left wing in Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli side, he consistently influenced matches through goals, ball progression, and constant pressure on opposing defences. Napoli won every league match they played that month without conceding a goal, and Kvaratskhelia’s attacking output and all-around play were central to maintaining their commanding lead at the top of the table.
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Match By Match
February 5th: Spezia 0-3 Napoli – Napoli opened February with a dominant away victory at Spezia, and Kvaratskhelia played a key role in asserting control over the match. After a relatively balanced first half, he broke the deadlock shortly after the restart by calmly converting a penalty, a goal that shifted the momentum decisively in Napoli’s favor. From that point on, he continued to threaten down the left flank with direct dribbling and intelligent movement between the lines, helping stretch Spezia’s defense and create space for teammates. His goal set the platform for Victor Osimhen’s brace and ensured Napoli could manage the game comfortably to a clean-sheet win.
February 12th: Napoli 2-0 Cremonese – At home against Cremonese, Kvaratskhelia once again made his mark in a comprehensive Napoli performance. He was heavily involved from the opening stages, constantly driving at defenders and combining fluidly with the midfield and Osimhen in the final third. Kvaratskhelia capped his display by getting on the scoresheet, helping Napoli establish early control of the match and maintain relentless attacking pressure throughout. His ability to destabilize Cremonese’s defensive block was a key factor in Napoli’s comfortable victory, which further extended their lead at the top of the table.
February 17th: Sassuolo 0-2 Napoli – Against Sassuolo, one of Serie A’s more dangerous attacking sides, Kvaratskhelia delivered an early and decisive contribution. He opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a sharp attacking move, cutting inside from the left and finishing clinically to give Napoli immediate control of a potentially difficult away fixture. Beyond the goal, he was heavily involved in Napoli’s transitions, repeatedly carrying the ball forward and forcing Sassuolo’s defenders to retreat, which limited their ability to build sustained pressure. His early strike allowed Napoli to dictate the tempo, eventually sealing a 2–0 win that underlined both their efficiency and defensive solidity.
February 25th: Empoli 0-2 Napoli – In the final league match of the month at Empoli, Kvaratskhelia’s influence was more subtle but no less important. Although he did not register a goal or an assist, he consistently destabilized Empoli’s defensive shape through his positioning, off-the-ball movement, and willingness to take on defenders in wide areas. His involvement helped Napoli maintain territorial dominance and attacking rhythm, contributing to sustained pressure that led to the goals which decided the match. The performance capped a flawless Serie A month for Napoli, with Kvaratskhelia once again central to their overall attacking structure and control of the game.
