Key Takeaways:
- Rasmus Højlund netted his first goal for Napoli just 14 minutes into his debut, contributing to a 3-1 victory against Fiorentina
- Antonio Conte publicly expressed gratitude to Manchester United for loaning the 22-year-old striker
- Napoli secured a third consecutive league win, their first such streak since the 2021/2022 campaign
Højlund’s Rapid Start in Naples
Rasmus Højlund wasted no time in making his mark for Napoli, scoring his debut goal a mere 14 minutes into the match as the visitors overcame Fiorentina with a 3-1 away win on Saturday. The Danish forward, recruited on a season-long loan from Manchester United, has settled swiftly into life under Antonio Conte’s guidance.
Following the match, Conte – previously manager at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur – was full of admiration for his young striker. Speaking to the press, Conte praised Højlund’s qualities and potential, while extending a gesture of thanks towards Manchester United for enabling the acquisition.
🇮🇹🎙️Antonio Conte on Hojlund:
"He’s 22, we took him from United because he worked well with McTominay (laughs). You can see he’s a player with great potential."[@SkySport] pic.twitter.com/uVE52CihtV
— Napoli Zone (@TheNapoliZone) September 13, 2025
Conte’s Reflections on Højlund’s Influence and Lukaku’s Absence
Conte underscored that Højlund, aged 22, was signed as a direct replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who is set to remain sidelined for several months due to a thigh injury sustained during pre-season. Lukaku, instrumental in Napoli’s recent Scudetto triumph, chose not to undergo surgery in a bid to accelerate his recovery, but remains unavailable.
Conte highlighted Højlund’s ability to hold up play as a critical asset for Napoli, especially for a team aiming to dictate matches. He also drew comparisons with former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, remarking on the lucky influence both signings from Manchester United have had for Napoli.
What Conte Said
“Højlund is only 22 years old. We brought him from Manchester United and he has already brought us good luck, as happened with the transfer of McTominay. We knew his qualities — he has huge potential and can develop even more. It’s clear he is a young man with brilliant prospects” Conte said to the media after the victory over Fiorentina.
“We signed Højlund to replace Romelu Lukaku, who will be out for a long time. Napoli controlled the match, and we also need a forward who can hold up the ball—that is important for any team that wants to dominate games.”
Napoli’s Winning Run and Upcoming European Test
The victory over Fiorentina marked Napoli’s third consecutive league win, a feat they last accomplished during the 2021/2022 season. With momentum on their side, Conte’s men are now set to face a significant challenge as they travel to the Etihad Stadium for a high-profile Champions League fixture against Manchester City.
