Rasmus Hojlund departed the Champions League with his head held high after a classic striker’s finish, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Napoli’s catastrophic collapse against Chelsea, a 3-2 defeat that condemns the Italian champions to a dismal 30th place finish in the League Phase.
The Manchester United loanee gave Napoli a lifeline with a razor sharp first half goal, expertly meeting a low cross to fire home. At the break, Antonio Conte’s side led 2-1 and were on course for a playoff spot. But a second half implosion, inspired by a Joao Pedro brace, shattered their European hopes.
The Italian press were united in their praise for Hojlund’s individual contribution, even in defeat. La Repubblica awarded him a 7/10, describing his farewell goal as “worthy of a true centre forward” and praising a performance where he “fights with all the strength he has left.” They labelled him a “predator” and a “true poacher” in the box.
Gazzetta dello Sport was more circumspect with a 6/10 rating, but offered sympathy for the isolated Dane, describing him as “a lion in a cage” excellent physically and in his positioning, but abandoned by a team that left him starved of service. The criticism was instead reserved for Conte’s tactical setup, which over relied on Hojlund as a lone focal point, a frustratingly familiar sight for United fans.
The goal was Hojlund’s 10th of the season across all competitions, and his third in the Champions League, adding to three assists. It snapped a recent drought and reaffirmed his burgeoning reputation. With a £44 million obligation to buy clause tied to Champions League qualification now void, Napoli’s future decision on the striker is less clear, though Conte remains a firm admirer.
For Napoli, it’s a bitterly disappointing end to a European campaign that promised so much. For Hojlund, it was a personal showcase of his developing instincts, a bright spot on a dark night that signals his potential to become the star striker Conte believes he can be.
