Hojlund Returns To Predator, Scores Two Goals To Napoli's Victory In The Champions League

Rasmus Hojlund is very happy to have a supplier like Kevin De Bruyne in Napoli (Instagram/@officialsscnapoli).

JAKARTA - Rasmus Hojlund has again found an instinct to score after moving to Napoli from Manchester United.

He opened the scoring when he debuted with I Partenopei in a 3-1 win over Fiorentina in Serie A.

Hojlund is again showing his teeth. Thanks to his two goals from assist Kevin De Bruyne, the Danish player brought a 2-1 win over Sporting CP in the second match of the 2025/2026 Champions League, Thursday, October 2, 2025, early morning WIB.

Hojlund said he was grateful to be in the same team as Kevin De Bruyne. The former Manchester City through ball was completed perfectly by the loaner from Manchester United to open Napoli's lead.

After Colombia striker Luis Suarez equalized from the penalty spot, De Bruyne then also provided a cross for Hojlund's header which restored Napoli's lead in the second half.

"Kevin is a legend of this sport. For me, every time he has the ball, he has to find space. I am very grateful to be able to play with players like this," said Hojlund.

Napoli's second goal was similar to that of De Bruyne's many goals for Erling Haaland during his glorious days with Manchester City.

"Both are quite similar. Erling is Erling and what he has done in his career is incredible."

"They both like to attack the room. Erling might prefer it a little more. Rasmus sometimes wants to come (to receive the ball)," De Bruyne said of Haaland and Hojlund.

Despite Hojlund's two-season goals at Manchester United after a major transfer from Atalanta, he has now scored three goals in five appearances since being loaned to Napoli.

It also continues an impressive record in the Champions League for the Danish player, who has now scored seven goals in eight appearances in Europe's top tournament.

Meanwhile, De Bruyne has now collected 27 assists throughout his career in the Champions League, surpassing Zinedine Zidane and Andres Iniesta, and taking fifth place on the all-time best midfielder list.

He only lost to Ryan Giggs (41), Angel Di Maria (38), David Beckham (36), and Xavi (31) in terms of assists.

The Belgian has now scored or provided assists for five goals in seven games since joining Napoli in June 2025 after 10 seasons at Manchester City.

The performance against Sporting CP is also the right response to the controversy surrounding his reaction to substitutions on weekends.

De Bruyne did not hide his disappointment when he was pulled out in defeat against AC Milan on Sunday, September 29, 2025, prompting coach Antonio Conte to warn.

"I hope he is annoyed with the result. Because if he is annoyed with anything else, he is dealing with the wrong person," Conte said at the time.

However, Conte said on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, that he and De Bruyne had resolved the problem. The former Manchester City star seemed to be thinking clearly against Sporting.

"There's never been a problem. I'm a winner. I want to play football. I want to make a difference. Everything has been said. No problem," said De Bruyne.

Two minutes after Napoli's second goal and with nine minutes remaining, 34-year-old De Bruyne was replaced by Billy Gilmour without a problem -- greeted with applause in his first European game at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.