Antonio Conte hailed Rasmus Hojlund after the Manchester United loanee scored on his Napoli debut in a 3-1 win at Fiorentina, jokingly thanking the Red Devils for “bringing luck” just as they did with Scott McTominay.
Antonio Conte couldn’t hide his delight after watching new signing Rasmus Hojlund make an instant impact for Napoli in their 3-1 Serie A victory over Fiorentina. The 22-year-old striker, on loan from Manchester United, needed just 14 minutes to open his account and set the tone for a dominant Partenopei performance.
Conte’s cheeky Manchester United dig
Speaking after the game, Conte praised the Dane’s qualities and playfully aimed a dig at his former Premier League rivals.
“Hojlund is only 22 years old, we got him from Manchester United, seeing as it brought us luck doing that with McTominay,” Conte said. “We knew his qualities, he has great potential and can improve. You can see he’s a lad with great prospects.”
Hojlund’s arrival fills the void left by Romelu Lukaku, who is sidelined with a thigh injury, and Conte made clear that the former Atalanta man has the skill set to hold the ball up and provide a focal point for Napoli’s attack.
Why Napoli needed Hojlund
Lukaku’s absence forced Napoli into the market for a striker, with Hojlund joining for a €6m loan fee and an obligation to buy next summer for €44m (£38m/$51m). The move also offered the Denmark international a way out of Old Trafford after United brought in Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, limiting his game time under Ruben Amorim.
Napoli had already signed Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese, but Conte insisted on one more forward to lead the line in big games – and Hojlund has wasted no time in justifying that decision.
Big tests ahead
Napoli’s win over Fiorentina gave them three wins from three in Serie A for the first time since 2021-22, and momentum is building under Conte. The next challenge, however, is monumental – a Champions League clash away at Manchester City on Thursday.
That means a quick return to Manchester for Hojlund and McTominay, only this time in the blue of Napoli, as Conte’s men look to test themselves against Pep Guardiola’s treble winners.
