{"id":155136,"date":"2025-09-14T01:20:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T01:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/155136\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T01:20:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T01:20:11","slug":"hojlund-has-great-prospects-but-napoli-glass-half-empty-despite-3-1-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/155136\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Hojlund has great prospects, but Napoli glass half-empty’ despite 3-1 victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FLORENCE,<\/p>\n

FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring a goal with Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Antonio Conte was visibly irritated after Napoli\u2019s 3-1 victory over Fiorentina<\/a>, as it is \u2018not possible\u2019 they ended under pressure. \u2018Rasmus Hojlund has great prospects.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Partenopei continued their ideal start to the campaign with three wins out of three, and for the most part it was a very comfortable evening in Florence.<\/p>\n

Kevin De Bruyne converted an early penalty, then Hojlund scored on his debut, with Sam Beukema also turning in for his first goal in the Napoli shirt.<\/p>\n

Luca Ranieri ruined the clean sheet late on and sparked a Fiorentina fightback, but not enough to threaten the result.<\/p>\n

Conte visibly irritated at Napoli finale\"FLORENCE,FLORENCE, ITALY \u2013 SEPTEMBER 13: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe showed that we are ready. There was a good attitude from the start, it was a match that we dominated, as De Gea made several saves, so it\u2019s not possible that we should struggle at the end,\u201d Conte told Sky Sport Italia.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe lads know, just as I tell my kids, where they need to improve, what I liked and didn\u2019t like. We conceded a goal and then started to struggle. When you play this well, you need to kill off the game and keep it closed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hojlund was not expected to be thrown into the starting XI straight away after his \u20ac6m loan from Manchester United with \u20ac44m option to buy at the end of the season, but he made an immediate impact.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cHojlund is only 22 years old, we got him from Manchester United, seeing as it brought us luck doing that with McTominay,\u201d joked Conte.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew his qualities, he has great potential and can improve. You can see he\u2019s a lad with great prospects.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FLORENCE,FLORENCE, ITALY \u2013 SEPTEMBER 13: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli gestures during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

It was put to the coach that Hojlund is at his best when running into space, whereas Lorenzo Lucca and Romelu Lukaku can perhaps do better holding up the ball against more defensive sides.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe signed Hojlund to replace Romelu, who will be out for a long time. Napoli controlled the match today, we also need someone who can hold the ball up, that\u2019s true of all teams who want to dominate matches,\u201d continued Conte.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone did well tonight, we were concentrated, allowing Fiorentina very little movement with our high press, which caused them a lot of problems.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could\u2019ve scored more goals against a Fiorentina side who reached the Conference League Final for two years running, then the semi-final in the third, also reaching the Coppa Italia Final. We are talking about a team that has for years been well-structured to play in several tournaments, so they have really good players. I think they are being under-rated, so coming here and winning like this should make us feel strong.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the same time, we need to see where we can improve. I am not a perfectionist, but I do prefer to see the glass half-empty so I can focus on where we need to improve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FLORENCE,FLORENCE, ITALY \u2013 SEPTEMBER 13: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

It puts them in the ideal mindset to go into their opening Champions League fixture, which will be a trip to De Bruyne\u2019s old club Manchester City at the Etihad on Thursday.<\/p>\n


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