Napoli earned their first points in this season’s Champions League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon in Naples, thanks to a brace from Rasmus Hojlund and two assists from Kevin De Bruyne.
The Denmark striker struck in each half to give the Serie A champions a vital win in front of a relieved Stadio Diego Armando Maradona crowd.
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Both goals came from De Bruyne’s precision passes, denying Sporting, who had drawn level in the 62nd minute through a Luis Suarez penalty.
“It was a tough start to this campaign in the Champions League… we showed our character today and played really well against the Portuguese champions,” said Hojlund after the match.
“Kevin is a legend of football. He has so much quality that every time he has the ball all I have to do is find space, and I know he’ll find me.”
De Bruyne’s performance was especially encouraging for Napoli fans after recent tension with coach Antonio Conte.
The Belgian midfielder had reacted angrily to being substituted during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at AC Milan, but he dismissed any rift with Conte.
“There was never any problem. I’m a winner, and I want to play and make a difference. Everything has been said,” De Bruyne told Sky. “There isn’t any problem, neither with the team nor the boss. I want to play football and enjoy it and move on.”
Napoli’s opener came in the 36th minute when De Bruyne slipped a perfect ball to Hojlund, who finished coolly past Rui Silva.
Sporting equalised when Suarez converted from the spot, but De Bruyne again made the difference 11 minutes from time, curling in a teasing cross that Hojlund nodded home for the winner.
