The away day curse is officially over. Napoli defeated Cremonese 0-2 at the Zini Stadium with authority, demonstrating that the high-level form seen during the Supercoppa triumph was not merely a brief interlude in the desert. After a streak of seven defeats in their last nine games away from the Maradona, Antonio Conte`s squad delivered a performance marked by maturity, clinical finishing, and conviction.
Hojlund Shines as Substance Remains
The leading man may have changed, but the team`s underlying substance remains strong. Following Neres’s decisive brace in the Supercoppa final, it was Rasmus Hojlund who shone brightly at the Zini. His two goals were the hallmark of a dominant center-forward, securing three crucial league points. The Danish striker now totals nine goals this season (six in the league) and is increasingly central to the Azzurri’s ambitious project. While this may not have been Napoli`s most dazzling performance of the year, partly due to numerous key absences, the team was solid, striking at the opportune moments and maintaining control throughout the match.
Conte Praises Progress and Potential
Following the victory, Coach Conte emphasized the progression of his squad:
“We are celebrating a beautiful year, made up of unexpected things like the Scudetto and the Supercoppa. In the league, we are right there, close to the top, despite facing some very serious difficulties.”
He then offered high praise for Hojlund`s contribution:
“He is very young and has massive room for improvement. He is becoming dominant in his role, understanding when to attack space and when to defend the ball. His growth potential is extremely high.”
Cremonese Coach Satisfied with Effort
On the opposing bench, Cremonese coach Davide Nicola defended his team`s effort despite the loss:
“There is no disappointment; Cremonese played the game they needed to play. We tried to battle against a team that forces you to operate at 2000 miles per hour.”
He concluded by accepting the result while commending his players` spirit: “We accept that the stronger team won, but I was pleased with our desire to compete.”
