Napoli manager Antonio Conte takes responsibility to improve Rasmus Hojlund | OneFootball

Rasmus Hojlund was the star in Wednesday night’s Champions League action, as his brace powered Napoli to a 2-1 win over Sporting.

The Dane’s 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.

“Rasmus is a 22-year-old player with significant potential. We’ll let him find it because he’s a serious player. He has significant room to grow. He’s 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 isn’t there; we started the season with significant absences.

“Rasmus is a great asset and you can see he’s a player. It’s 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.”

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 can’t be allowed to set in.

“Lucca 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 I’d keep quiet, but they are two guys who could get some space.

“Let’s be clear. Marianucci, who’s 21 and a starter for the Under-21s, is playing, and people say young players don’t play. Then they play and people say something else. Let’s make peace with our minds. Don’t think they’re playing to please someone. If they’re playing, it’s 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, don’t call me crazy, because it won’t be like that.”

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.

GIFN | Max Bradfield