Napoli fans had plenty to cheer about as they closed out 2025 with a convincing 2-0 win over Cremonese at the Stadio Giovanni Zini, thanks to a first-half brace from Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish striker, on loan from Manchester United, continued his red-hot form in Serie A, leaving supporters and pundits alike buzzing about his impact since arriving in Naples.
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for the Partenopei. After suffering a setback against Udinese that knocked them off the top of the league, the team bounced back in style by lifting the Supercoppa Italiana in Riyadh, dispatching both AC Milan and Bologna with 2-0 victories. That momentum carried over into their return to domestic action, where all eyes were on how they’d respond to the mounting pressure in the title race.
And respond they did. From the opening whistle, Napoli looked a cut above their hosts, despite missing key names like Romelu Lukaku, Sam Beukema, Mathias Olivera, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, Alex Meret, and Kevin De Bruyne. Coach Antonio Conte, ever the tactician, stuck with his 3-4-2-1 setup, deploying Matteo Politano as a wing-back and trusting Hojlund to lead the line.
It took just 13 minutes for the breakthrough. Leonardo Spinazzola’s speculative effort from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection, wrong-footing the defense and landing at Hojlund’s feet. The Dane made no mistake, tapping home from close range to notch his fifth Serie A goal of the campaign. It was a poacher’s finish—one that showcased his growing confidence in the penalty area.
Cremonese, managed by Jamie Vardy and hampered by the absences of Michele Collocolo and the suspended Federico Ceccherini, did their best to respond. Martin Payero, back from suspension, and Matteo Bianchetti, sporting a protective mask, tried to steady the ship. There were flashes of threat: Filippo Terracciano forced a save from Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, and Bianchetti volleyed over from a promising free-kick routine. But Napoli’s defense, marshaled by Amir Rrahmani and Juan Jesus, stood firm.
As the first half ticked toward its conclusion, Napoli doubled their lead. Alessio Zerbin, on loan from the visitors, misjudged a clearance, allowing Politano to whip a cross into the box. The ball broke kindly for Hojlund, who rifled a half-volley past Emil Audero from six yards out. Two goals, both with his weaker right foot—an unusual feat for the left-footed striker. "It doesn’t happen very often!" Hojlund admitted with a grin to DAZN Italia after the match. "I’m just happy with the result, 2-0 here is not easy, Cremonese troubled a lot of teams this season, it was a difficult task, but we brought three points home for Napoli."
Hojlund’s transformation since his Atalanta days—and his challenging stint at Manchester United—has been remarkable. "I am getting better every season. Obviously, I was a bit younger at Atalanta, I’ve got a bit more experience now, playing in the Premier League and the Champions League," he reflected. "I’m playing alongside some great players now, like Politano, who doesn’t get his flowers because he hasn’t scored many goals this season, but he helps the team so much and is a top player. He’s so important for us."
And the numbers back him up. Hojlund’s brace against Cremonese took his Serie A tally to six goals in just 12 appearances for Napoli—already surpassing his four-goal haul in 32 Premier League matches for United last season. Across all competitions, he’s now found the net nine times in 20 outings, making him Napoli’s top scorer both in the league and overall. Only Christian Pulisic and Lautaro Martinez have scored more Serie A goals so far this term.
The move to Naples, which includes an obligation to buy if the club qualifies for the Champions League, appears to be paying dividends for both player and team. After lifting the Supercoppa Italiana—Napoli’s first since 1990 to win two trophies in a calendar year—the mood around the club is buoyant. Hojlund’s own social media celebration after the Supercoppa win, where he posted a photo with the trophy and the caption "What a great decision looks like," was seen by many as a pointed message to his former employers at Old Trafford.
Matteo Politano, who has adapted to a new wing-back role under Conte, was quick to praise the team’s tactical evolution. "I think that I have matured tactically a great deal in the last 18 months," Politano told DAZN Italia. "I am happy with this consistency, we feel well-suited to this tactical system, as David [Neres] moves well, so we’re pleased with what we are doing. It has been a spectacular 2025 for all the Napoli fans, as we brought home two trophies. Now we end the year with a great victory and have to continue in 2026 with this hunger, as we want to bring home more success."
Napoli’s win means they remain just a point behind Serie A leaders AC Milan after 16 matches, with Inter Milan lurking another point back. The title race is shaping up to be a classic, and with Hojlund firing on all cylinders, Conte’s side look well-equipped for the battles ahead. The fact that they are the only team in Serie A yet to squander a lead this season speaks volumes about their resilience and game management.
Cremonese, for their part, gave a good account of themselves, but couldn’t find a way past Milinkovic-Savic, who enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon. The hosts had their moments—Zerbin’s penalty appeal was waved away, and Warren Bondo blasted over in stoppage time—but Napoli’s quality told in the end.
Looking at the broader context, this win capped a weekend of high drama across Europe, with title races heating up in both Serie A and the Premier League, and AFCON group stages providing their own share of excitement. But in Cremona, the story belonged to Rasmus Hojlund and a Napoli side that continues to write new chapters in its modern resurgence.
As 2025 draws to a close, Napoli’s fans can savor a year that brought not just silverware, but a renewed sense of belief. With Hojlund leading the line, the Partenopei are dreaming big—and who could blame them?
