Napoli striker Rasmus Hojlund has spoken out following his team’s tough defeat against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League clash on Friday, September 19, 2025. The Danish forward shared insights from inside the dressing room, particularly praising the professionalism of Kevin De Bruyne, who faced an emotional night at the Etihad Stadium.
A Nightmare Start for Napoli
The evening at the Etihad was always going to be one of the toughest challenges for Napoli. Facing City on their own turf is arguably the hardest task in European football today. But things quickly went from difficult to nearly impossible.
In the 21st minute, Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo received a red card, leaving Antonio Conte’s side to play the majority of the game with 10 men. Against Pep Guardiola’s side, known for their relentless attacking quality, the numerical disadvantage put Napoli under immense pressure.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Hojlund admitted:
“It’s already very, very difficult to play against Manchester City in this stadium with the quality they have. Once we went down to 10 men, it became an even bigger challenge.”
Conte’s Painful Tactical Sacrifice
The red card forced Antonio Conte into making a brutal tactical decision. To restore balance and defensive solidity, the Napoli coach had no choice but to sacrifice one of his attacking players. The player withdrawn was none other than Kevin De Bruyne, who had been making a highly anticipated return to his former home, the Etihad.
For De Bruyne, it was supposed to be an emotional night—a chance to relive memories in front of the Manchester City supporters who once adored him. Instead, his special homecoming was cut short in the first half.
Hojlund revealed that despite the personal disappointment, De Bruyne accepted the decision with remarkable maturity:
“Of course, he wanted to play this match—it was a big occasion for him. But he understood the coach’s choice, and as players, we have to respect it, whether it’s Kevin or anyone else.”
De Bruyne’s Professionalism Shines
Moments like these can test the ego of any superstar. Being substituted early in such an emotional match could have led to frustration or anger. Yet, according to Hojlund, De Bruyne’s response was the complete opposite.
The Belgian midfielder displayed pure professionalism and a team-first mentality, proving why he is respected worldwide not just for his talent, but also for his attitude.
“He’s an incredible player, and naturally he wanted to stay on the pitch. But he knew the coach had to make a tough call. Kevin handled it with total professionalism and put the team above himself,” Hojlund added.
A Defeat With Some Positives
Despite the setback, Napoli managed to avoid a heavy defeat. Goals from Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku sealed a 2-0 win for Manchester City, but considering Napoli played nearly 70 minutes with 10 men, the scoreline could have been far worse.
Hojlund stressed that the team must remain realistic and take some positives from the performance:
“It’s always tough to face City, but doing so a man down for so long made it extremely difficult. Still, losing only 2-0 is not a disaster. In the Champions League, goal difference can be important later in the group stage.”
Napoli may have left Manchester empty-handed, but the night revealed something more valuable than just the scoreline—the unity and professionalism within the squad. Kevin De Bruyne’s reaction to being sacrificed for the good of the team highlighted his character, while Rasmus Hojlund’s reflections showed that Napoli are determined to fight on despite setbacks.
As the Champions League campaign continues, Conte’s men will need that same spirit and resilience if they hope to progress past the group stage.
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