Napoli defeated Fiorentina 3-1 with a goal on debut from Hojlund, but Conte seeks improvement. The victory marked Napoli’s third consecutive win. Conte emphasized the importance of maintaining control and closing out games effectively despite praising Hojlund’s performance.
Napoli's perfect start to the Serie A season continued with a 3-1 victory over Fiorentina, but manager Antonio Conte was far from satisfied. Despite praising debutant Rasmus Hojlund for his goal-scoring performance, Conte expressed frustration at his team's inability to maintain control and prevent a late Fiorentina resurgence. The win marks Napoli's third consecutive victory in the league, solidifying their position as early contenders.
The match began brightly for Napoli, with Kevin De Bruyne converting a penalty to open the scoring. Hojlund, making his first appearance for the club after a deadline-day loan move from Manchester United, quickly doubled the lead with a well-taken goal. Sam Beukema, another debutant, added a third after the interval, seemingly putting the game beyond Fiorentina's reach.
However, Luca Ranieri's late goal for the home side sparked a period of sustained pressure, leaving Conte visibly agitated on the touchline. Napoli struggled to regain their composure, and Conte believes his team should have managed the game more effectively. "We showed that we are ready. There was a good attitude from the start, it was a match that we dominated, as [David] de Gea made several saves, so it’s not possible that we should struggle at the end," Conte said, highlighting the importance of closing out games decisively.
Conte emphasized the need for improvement, stating, "The lads know, just as I tell my kids, where they need to improve, what I liked and didn’t like. We conceded a goal and then started to struggle. When you play this well, you need to kill off the game and keep it closed." His comments underscore the high standards he sets for his team, even in victory.
Much of the post-match discussion centered on Hojlund's impressive debut. The 22-year-old, who joined Napoli on loan from Manchester United with a €44 million option to buy, was not initially expected to feature so prominently. However, he seized his opportunity, showcasing his potential and earning praise from Conte. "Hojlund is only 22 years old, we got him from Manchester United, seeing as it brought us luck doing that with [Scott] McTominay," Conte joked, alluding to a previous successful transfer from the same club.
Conte added, "We knew his qualities, he has great potential and can improve. You can see he’s a lad with great prospects." Hojlund's arrival has injected fresh impetus into Napoli's attack, providing Conte with another valuable option in the final third. His ability to adapt quickly to a new league and team suggests a bright future for the young forward.
Meanwhile, midfielder Frank Anguissa continued his excellent form, building on his recent Serie A Player of the Month award for August. He provided the assist for Beukema's goal, further demonstrating his importance to the Napoli midfield. Anguissa's creative contributions and consistent performances have made him a key player for Conte's side. He is now one of only three midfielders this season — along with Nico Paz and Mario Pasalic — to both score and provide at least one assist in Serie A so far.
Napoli's victory over Fiorentina was a testament to their attacking prowess, but Conte's post-match remarks indicate a desire for greater control and consistency. As the season progresses, Napoli will need to address these concerns if they are to maintain their title challenge. The emergence of Hojlund and the continued excellence of Anguissa provide reasons for optimism, but Conte's relentless pursuit of perfection suggests that Napoli will continue to strive for improvement.
Full time: #FiorentinaNapoli 1-3
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