Hojlund: future star shines, Lukaku bond and Conte’s influence | OneFootball

Rasmus Hojlund unwrapped his first Christmas present early, right on the pitch of Al Awwal Park in Riyadh. His performance against Milan was not only decisive for reaching the final, but it was a true masterclass entitled ‘the modern center forward’.

Napoli, Big Rom can recover at his own pace: Hojlund overwhelms Milan

This is what La Gazzetta dello Sport writes today, dedicating ample space to the exponential growth of the Danish striker. The ratings are sky-high, and the technical analysis even more so: Hojlund overwhelmed Milan and humiliated De Winter with power, speed, and quality. The goal that made it 2-0 is the manifesto of this dominance: a solo worthy of praise that, in just a few seconds, showcased all the fundamentals of the trade. Attacking the space, shielding the ball, goal sense, shooting accuracy: a complete repertoire that dragged Napoli forward.

But the most interesting point in the Rosea’s analysis concerns the tactical and mental evolution of the player, a process defined as “Lukakization.” Clearly, Antonio Conte’s influence is evident in this transformation—the man who wanted him at all costs. Hojlund is learning to use his body and dominate defenses just like his more experienced strike partner.

The heartfelt embrace with Romelu Lukaku on the sidelines says a lot: Big Rom returned to the bench to fire up the team, but his presence also serves “to put a bit more pressure in Hojlund’s mind.” The message came through loud and clear: the Dane has understood that he can no longer afford mistakes because the competition (with Lucca also eager for his chance) is fierce. However, the newspaper concludes, “with a Hojlund like this, it seems impossible to overturn the hierarchy.” Napoli has found in him the center forward of the future and a certainty for the present. Romelu can recover calmly; Rasmus is the guarantee of the Napoli project.

Andrea Alati

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.