Rasmus Hojlund was the star in Wednesday nightโs Champions League action, as his brace powered Napoli to a 2-1 win over Sporting.
The Daneโs double came either side of a Luis Suarez second-half penalty, and saw him link up with Kevin De Bruyne, who provided assists for both well-taken efforts.
Napoli manager Antonio Conte spoke to the media after the game, and addressed just how far the Manchester United loanee can go in his career.
โRasmus is a 22-year-old player with significant potential. Weโll let him find it because heโs a serious player. He has significant room to grow. Heโs starting to understand the right positioning, how to attack the depth. We lost Lukaku, who was a cornerstone of the Scudetto: I spoke to him and I also offer my condolences on the death of his father. Romelu isnโt there; we started the season with significant absences.
โRasmus is a great asset and you can see heโs a player. Itโs up to me and my staff to implement our knowledge and improve him to make him a star. He has great prospects, but as a striker he needs to become a star.โ
Conte also spoke of the other offensive options at his disposal. Amidst the current crop, Hojlund finds himself at the front of the queue. That said, complacency canโt be allowed to set in.
โLucca also needs to work to try to raise his level. And Ambrosino, I want to say a few words about him and Vergara: they are two guys who are training and making significant improvements. I say this without flattery, otherwise Iโd keep quiet, but they are two guys who could get some space.
โLetโs be clear. Marianucci, whoโs 21 and a starter for the Under-21s, is playing, and people say young players donโt play. Then they play and people say something else. Letโs make peace with our minds. Donโt think theyโre playing to please someone. If theyโre playing, itโs because I believe in them. Marianucci is the future of Napoli, just like Ambrosino and Vergara are growing and must continue like this. If they play, donโt call me crazy, because it wonโt be like that.โ
Hojlund has already spoken of how being at Napoli makes him feel like being part of a family. He now has three goals in all competitions and is starting to pick up momentum.
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GIFNย |ย Max Bradfield
