Rasmus Hojlund expressed his disappointment following Napoli’s elimination from the Champions League, a setback that was exacerbated by the performance of his former Manchester United teammate, Alejandro Garnacho. The 22-year-old Danish striker, currently on loan to Napoli, scored an impressive goal in a crucial match against Chelsea, but it ultimately wasn’t enough as the London club triumphed 3-2 in Naples, thereby ending Napoli’s hopes of advancing.
Hojlund’s goal briefly restored Napoli’s lead, showcasing his continued strong form; however, Chelsea’s comeback included a pivotal double from Joao Pedro, allowing them to progress to the knockout stages. Hojlund reflected on the match and acknowledged Chelsea as a formidable opponent, expressing frustration not only at the defeat but also at the missed opportunities earlier in their campaign.
He pointed out that Napoli’s previous matches against teams like Copenhagen and Frankfurt had been equally disappointing and could have altered their fate in the group stages. “We had a couple of games against Copenhagen and Frankfurt where we should probably have done a bit better,” Hojlund stated, underscoring the team’s overall struggles in Europe this season.
Hojlund also noted the impact of Chelsea’s substitutions, specifically mentioning Garnacho and Cole Palmer, which tilted the game’s momentum in favor of the Premier League side. “They put on Garnacho and Cole Palmer and these sorts of players which are incredible,” he remarked, indicating that depth and energy were factors that influenced the second half of the match.
Despite the disappointment of the Champions League exit, Hojlund has performed well in Serie A, netting six goals and providing two assists, helping his team remain competitive for Champions League qualification. With Napoli still in the fight for a top finish in Italy’s league, there remains hope for a turnaround in their season as Hojlund continues to develop and showcase his abilities on the international stage.