Rasmus Hojlund was the hero for Napoli once again as his late winner secured a 2-1 victory over Genoa on Sunday, a result that lifted the defending champions to the top of the Serie A table.
The 22-year-old Danish forward, fresh from scoring twice in midweek against Sporting Lisbon, struck in the 75th minute after Genoa goalkeeper Nicola Leali parried a fierce shot from Andre-Frank Anguissa. Hojlund reacted quickest to fire home the rebound, taking his tally to four goals since arriving from Manchester United.
“It’s my job and the team’s job to win as many games as possible, so it’s important to keep working hard and focus on the next match,” Hojlund told DAZN after the game.
Napoli coach Antonio Conte admitted he had considered substituting the striker before his decisive goal due to fatigue from the Champions League, but Hojlund insisted he was still fresh and determined to keep playing.
Napoli were forced to come from behind after 19-year-old Jeff Ekhator gave Genoa a shock halftime lead with his second Serie A goal. However, Anguissa bundled in the equaliser in the 57th minute before Hojlund completed the turnaround.
With the win, Napoli sit top of the league on 15 points from six matches, ahead of Roma on goal difference. The lead could change depending on the outcome of AC Milan’s clash with Juventus later on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Roma maintained their winning form with a 2-1 victory away at Fiorentina. Goals from Matias Soule and Bryan Cristante sealed their third straight Serie A win, overturning an early strike from Moise Kean. Fiorentina remain without a win, stuck on three points just above the relegation zone.
